Zika a clear and present danger

New Delhi: Dengue is not the only mosquito-borne disease Delhi needs to prepare for this season. The Zika virus, which is also caused by Aedes aegypti mosquito bites, is another potential threat for Delhiites, microbiologists said on Thursday at a workshop on emerging infections in India.

Though there is no positive or suspected case of the Zika virus in the country yet, experts said the chances of spread remain high.

"Aedes aegypti is widespread here. It is responsible for dengue as well, which reached epidemic proportions in Delhi and affected hundreds in other states last year," said Dr Rama Chaudhry, professor of microbiology at AIIMS.

She said the government had already taken steps such as issuing an advisory against non-essential travel to the affected countries and augmenting laboratory facilities for testing the virus.

Dr Mala Chhabra of National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) added that all doctors were being advised to report about patients who had travelled to the affected countries and complained about mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain—all classic symptoms of the Zika virus disease. "Zika is like the small sister of dengue. Its presentation is very similar but a new research links it to serious neurological manifestations, for example microcephaly," she said.

Most microbiologists, who participated in the AIIMS workshop, said delayed reaction in the case of Ebola had led to high incidence of deaths and early action was needed to prevent a similar situation this time.

The virus was detected in Brazil last May. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the disease has spread to more than 40 countries in South America over the past few months. The director general of health services (DGHS), health ministry officials said, has issued guidelines advising pregnant women to defer their travel to the affected countries.

People with co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory illness and immune disorders, have also been advised to seek advice from the nearest health facility before travelling to any of these countries.