Zika: TN in high-risk category

As WHO declared the spread of zika virus a global emergency, closer home in Chennai, King Institute of Preventive Medicine has been waiting for close to a month with blood samples to test for zika virus but are yet to receive the kits they ordered.
Officials say Tamil Nadu -often lauded for its good health indices -is yet to put in place a mechanism to screen people for zika virus.Although deaths are rare and only one in five people infected is likely to develop symptoms that normally last for two to seven days, the biggest concern is the impact it could have on babies developing in the womb. It is believed that the virus can travel across the placenta and affect an unborn baby, causing microcephaly -a condition that stunts development of the brain in infants if the mother contracts it.
King Institute had placed orders for a prime and probe to test blood samples three weeks back, but are yet to receive them. “We have been holding on to some blood samples to test them for the virus but the kits haven't come as yet,“ said a staff who refused to be named.
The virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same vector that transmits dengue and chikungunya virus. An advisory issued by ministry of health and family welfare has put states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala under the high-risk category owing to the current “conducive weather conditions“ for transmission and asked them to ensure extra vigil.

Infectious disease specialists say although the state may be ill-prepared to screen people, there is no need for alarm.
Senior health officials when contacted said the public health department had already stepped up vector control measures to check transmission of dengue and chikunguniya post monsoon. “There is no reason to panic. The state is fully equipped to handle any situation if it arises and we are working in close coordination with the Government of India,“ he said, adding that the department department was also coordinating with airport officials to screen people coming from affected regions.
Infectious disease specialists say although the state may be ill-prepared to screen people there is no need for alarm. “There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. But in most cases, it needs no treatment. The symptoms will subside in a week,“ said Dr V Ramasubramanian, a senior consultant in infectious diseases. When asked how pregnant women could be screened he said, “As no tests are available we have to follow up all women with fever with repeat ultrasounds,“ he said.
Although officials may be fumbling with the screening process now, public health experts say it's not too late to shield the state. “This is not the first time we are handling such an emergency. We were well prepared even during pandemics like H1N1 and SARS,"said former city health officer P Kuganantham. He said the first step the government needs to take is to start screening passengers arriving from affected regions. “The next step is to start vector control measures as Aedes mosquitos are common here," he said.