Beware of zika virus: Deadly aedes waiting in the wings
If rising chikungunya and dengue cases are a cause of concern, yet another threat could be looming large for the state which is battling vector-borne diseases, especially those spread by aedes aegypti mosquito.
According to recent reports, the state is a ‘fertile ground’ for the dreaded zika fever, which like dengue and chikungunya is spread by the aedes mosquito.
The spurt in dengue and chikungunya cases this year in the state is a clear indicator for the state government to intensify its efforts to eliminate the aedes mosquito to also deal with the potential threat of zika, a disease that played havoc in Brazil recently, and spread to other countries in south, central and North America.
The Union health ministry has already taken note of it and alerted state authorities along with other states. Fortunately, no case of zika has been reported so far from the country.
“Zika is caused by the aedes aegypti mosquito.The density of this mosquito is very high after the monsoon, which has so far resulted in dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. These cases have started falling,” Dr Raman Sharma, professor (medicine) SMS hospital said.
Post-monsoon, a breteau index and house index surveys were conducted by the health department to evaluate the threat of dengue based on the density of larvae and containers containing such larvae in households. According to norms, if the house index is greater than or equal to 5 and the breteau index more than 20, then there is a need to intensify awareness campaign on prevention and control as well as to start clean-up campaigns. The survey found that out of 110 houses, 66 had a breteau index of more than or equal to 20.
The Centre had, well in advance, alerted all states to take preventive measures to stop the breeding of the aedes mosquito.
The outbreak of chikungunya and the increased number of dengue patients in the state indicate the presence of the aedes mosquito in almost every part of the state.
The Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme had prepared and issued a draft advisory to Rajasthan and other states for intensifying strategies of their mid-term plan for vector control with focused supervision in all districts and municipalities.
In a letter issued to chief secretaries of states, the ministry of health had pointed out the threat of zika virus transmitted through the bite of an infected aedes mosquito.
“Since it has the potential to spread internationally, given the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector, the lack of immunity among population in newly-affected areas and high volumes of international travel, the WHO has already issued alerts to countries, including India,” the letter said, written early this year.