Zika Virus epidemic: Distribution and Effect of Containment Measures taken by Department of Health
Abstract
Zika Virus Disease (ZVD) is an emerging disease in India. Symptoms are generally mild but it's infection during pregnancy can cause other congenital malformations in infants. Because of its complications in pregnancy it becomes of public health importance. There was an epidemic in Jaipur in year 2018. This study was conducted to describe the epidemiologic curve and effects containment measures initiated by department of health to control it. Public health response initiated within three kilometer radius area from index case in the form of tracing & isolation of positive cases, tracking of fever cases & pregnant females in affected area. Vector control measures were taken and effect of control measures were assessed by difference in entomlogical indexes like Breateau Index (BI) and House index (HI). Total 159 Zika positive cases detected in 38 days, out of that 6 were from routine surveillance and 153 were from active surveillance. No mortality was reported. Timely containment measures were taken. Effect of these containment measures were significant (p<001) in the form of reduction in number of cases, Breauteau Index (BI) and House Index (HI). Number of cases became zero whereas mean BI and mean HI became less than 2 which was initially 35.01 and 21.72 respectively. It is concluded that with prompt public health response and intersectoral coordination resulted in containment of the outbreak.
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Introduction
Zikavirus is a member of the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, which includes other globally relevant human pathogens such as dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).1,2
Zika Virus infection is generally mild, typically last for 2–7 days but neurological disorders were linked to ZIKV infection, as there was an increase in the incidence of GBS, a postinfection autoimmune neuropathy that can result in weakness, paralysis, and death.3,4,5 Most concerning is the sharp increase in the number of cases of microcephaly in newborns in the northeastern region of Brazil that is associated with ZIKV infection of pregnant women.6
ZIKV was first isolated in 1947 from a febrile sentinel rhesus monkey in the Zika forest, a research station of the Uganda.7 ZIKV came to global attention in 2007, when it caused an explosive outbreak in Micronesia.8 It is estimated that approximately 75% of the population of the island of Yap became infected during a 4-month period.9 In the ensuing years, ZIKV spread throughout Oceania.11,12
Conclusion
This study conclude that the biggest epidemic of Zika virus in India, which was completely constrained within 40 days with effective containment measures like active search & testing of acute fever cases, pregnant women and proper vector control measures. Not much study are on Zika virus are available in India so further research is required to understand the ZIKV natural cycle in India.