Fresh cases of Zika reported in Jaipur

Fresh cases of Zikavirus were reported in Rajasthan's Jaipur on Wednesday, taking the total number of infected people to 135, a government official said.

Of the total infected, 125 have recovered after treatment, a spokesperson of the Rajasthan Health Department said.

The department Wednesday activated its toll-free helpline number 1800-180-6127 for medical consultation and safety-related information about the disease. The helpline will remain functional from 8am to 8pm, the spokesperson said.

Larvae destroying activities and fogging in colonies here was done in the morning as well as in the evening, he said.

The department has appealed to the people to keep doors of their residences and shops open and asked those with breathing difficulties to remain at bay during fogging activities.

Most of the cases which have been reported are from the Shastri Nagar area in Jaipur where fogging and other anti-larvae activities are being carried out to prevent the spread of the virus.

The virus, transmitted through the aedes aegypti mosquito, causes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain. It is harmful to pregnant women, as it can lead to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is significantly smaller in newborns.

In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district in July that year. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management.

The disease is under surveillance by the Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since November 18, 2016.