As Zika virus outbreak is becoming a major threat to all countries across the world, India has planned to set up ten diagnostic labs to test for the suspected virus cases.The Health Ministry held a national level meeting to discuss about the preparedness against the Zika virus, which was attended by senior health officials.
‘Health Ministry said that ten new diagnostic facilities will become operational in different states by the end of February to test for any suspected Zika virus case in India.
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There are already two diagnostic facilities at National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune. Apart from this, new facilities are located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam.Earlier this month, the ministry issued guidelines and travel instructions regarding the Zika virus. Pamphlets about the Zika virus were also placed at international airports across the country.
"All aircraft are being disinfected as per the WHO guidelines. In addition, vector breeding in containers at the seaports is also being taken up and National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program and National Centre for Disease Control are checking for control of vector densities," the ministry said.
Source-Medindia