Alert in Tamil Nadu as 13 Indians hit by Zika in Singapore

Zika, a mosquito borne disease, is spreading rapidly in Singapore, with government officials confirming over 115 residents testing positive, including 13 Indian nationals. Given the heavy passenger traffic between Chennai and Singapore, concerned authorities say that mechanisms are in place to keep a check on the disease. 

Talking to DTNext, Deepak Shastri, Airport Director, Chennai Airport, said they have received directions from the Airport Health Organisation to educate general public about the disease. “Apart from monitoring those who arrive from Zika-affected countries, we are running awareness campaigns for those travelling abroad on Zika and how it is transmitted,” he said. The airport authorities have been carrying out frequent fogging operations to keep a check on mosquito breeding, apart from coordinating with the state health officials to keep the disease under check. 

Dr K Kolandaswamy, Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that they have been following up on those who have returned from countries where cases of Zika had been reported earlier. “We have been receiving a list of passengers who have returned from the affected countries, from the airport. As a follow up, we survey the areas where they stay, for mosquito activity. We also carry out fogging operations,” he said. 

A protocol-based approach is in place in coordination with the Centre, said a source from the State Health Department. “Accordingly, a functional health post is in place at the airport and both Director of Public Health and the State Health Department have visited it. There is no reason to panic. We are keeping a close watch in association with the airport and port authorities.” Earlier, this year, the World Health Organisation, had declared Zika a public health emergency. The fear of the diseases largely stems from the congenital anomalies related to it.