Health Dept issues Zika virus advisory

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 15

UT Health Department today issued travel and health advisory against Zika virus.

It also released a list of 35 national testing centres, including the PGI, the only in the region, for detecting the virus. So far, no case of Zika has been reported in the city.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It may also spread by sexual route and also to an unborn child of an infected expectant mother. Zika virus is often asymptomatic. For queries related to Zika virus, one can dial 011-23061469/23063205.

Dos and Don’ts

• Prevent breeding of mosquitoes
• Cover all water tanks and containers
• Dispose of unused containers, junk material, tyres, coconut shells etc.
• Use larvivorous fish in ornamental tanks
• Observe weekly dry day. Empty and scrub desert coolers, flower vase etc
• Use bed-net at home and hospital during dengue/Zika virus fever to prevent mosquito bite so as to interrupt transmission
• Avoid being bitten by mosquito. During daytime, wear full-sleeved clothing and use mosquito repellent
• Use paracetamol to manage fever
• Don’t allow water to stagnate in and around your house in coolers, buckets, flower pots, bird baths, freeze trays, coconut shells etc.
• Don’t throw broken utensils, unused bottles, tins, old tyres and other junk material here and there as Aedes mosquitoes breed in these objects during rainy season
• Don’t use aspirin to treat fever
• There is no specific medicine to tackle Zika virus. Avoid self-medication, see a doctor.