Multi-disciplinary team to monitor Zika virus situation

The Government of India has rushed a multi-disciplinary team to Maharashtra to monitor the Zika virus situation.

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The three-member Central team consists of a public health expert from the Office of Regional Director, Pune, a gynecologist from Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi and an entomologist from National Institute of Malaria Research, ICMR, New Delhi.

Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it’s a very mild infection and is not harmful.

But it may be more serious for pregnant women, as there’s evidence it causes birth defects – in particular, abnormally small heads (microcephaly). Zika does not naturally occur in the UK.

There’s no vaccine or specific treatment for it. Instead, the focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain.