Thiruvananthapuram: The result of 17 samples sent for testing yesterday was found to be Zika negative. The results were obtained from the Institute of Virology, Pune. So far 14 Zika cases have been confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram.
A team of experts sent by the Union Health Ministry will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram today to assess the situation in the state in light of the confirmed Zika virus. The central team will visit various parts of the Thiruvananthapuram district today to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, the health department in the Thiruvananthapuram district has intensified preventive measures after detecting the presence of the virus in the state. Following the health department, the Thiruvananthapuram district administration has also formulated an action plan for Zika prevention.
The district administration has directed the district labs to report suspicious cases. There is also a proposal to ensure fever clinics in health centers. The virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Zika virus can seriously affect pregnant women. Therefore, the Department of Health recommends that pregnant women undergo extreme care and screening during the first four months.
