Health Minister chairs high level meeting on ZIKA Virus

Health Minister J P Nadda today chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi today on the outbreak of ZIKA Virus. The meeting is significant in the the wake of the virus in the Americas this year. The virus, spread by mosquitoes, has been linked to brain defects in babies. A high level technical group is being set up with immediate effect to monitor the Zika virus situation globally and advise the Ministry accordingly. The Minister directed Health Ministry officials to strengthen the Surveillance system for Zika virus and take preventive steps for mosquito free environment. World Health Organisation Director General Dr Margaret Chan said Zika had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions. She has set up a Zika emergency team after the explosive spread of the virus. It will meet on Monday to decide whether Zika should be treated as a global emergency.The last time an international emergency was declared was for the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which had killed more than 11 thousand people.