Chennai: The day after Kerala announced that one of the 14 people tested positive for Zika was a 24-year-old pregnant woman from a city bordering Tamil Nadu, the State Health Department had asked all districts, especially along the border, to intensify supervision.
Someone can be infected with a virus when bitten by mosquitoes aedes – the same vector that causes dengue fever.
It can also be forwarded through blood transfusions or gender.
A pregnant woman can continue infection in the fetus and increase the risk of certain birth defects.
Many people who are infected with the Zika virus will not have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms.
Some may fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and body pain.
Symptoms can last for several days to a week.
Even though most people recover, some can develop Guillain-Barre syndrome, unusual neurological diseases.
“There is no vaccine for Zika and prevention it is important,” said Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan.
Since 2017, Tamil Nadu has tested more than 400 people to be suspected of infection, but all are negative, according to the Directorate of Public Health.
“We remain vigilant.
We have asked the District Health Authority to ensure water and tanks are closed.
Drinking water is stored in a closed tank.
We have also requested a memo dealer, trade unions, transportation depots to overcome and eradicate sources,” he said.
“This will help us prevent cases of dengue fever,” he said.