Zika risk: Airport, hospitals, port focus on preventing mosquito breeding

However, currently neither Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport nor the Mumbai Port Trust is screening incoming passengers for fever or rashes — the most common symptoms of the disease.

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WHO has advised countries to take detailed medical history from passengers flying in from Zika-affected countries.

“For now, the airports and ports have been instructed to provide information to passengers on Zika virus. They are not being screened,” said Pradeep Awate, state epidemiologist.

Experts admit that even if a suspected case is admitted, treatment will only be symptomatic.

For instance, doctors can control fever or provide painkillers for bodyaches, but the virus will continue to affect the patient.

“Though the disease is not airborne, we have decided to isolate the suspected patient for a week. We have also asked WHO for guidelines on treatment,” said Dr T P Lahane, Dean at JJ Hospital.

According to WHO, the disease is expected to spread next in Europe.

At biggest risk are pregnant women who can give birth to children with abnormally small heads due to the virus infection.

Currently, 279 pregnant women globally are being monitored for Zika virus.

On Tuesday, a team from central government along with civic insecticide department visited Mumbai Port Trust and Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport to inspect mosquito breeding sites.

“We are going to keep a strict vigil on mosquito breeding at these two points. In case, a Zika-affected case comes and is bitten by a mosquito, the disease will easily spread in the city,” an insecticide officer said.

How Zika virus spreads; signs

The disease is spread by Aedes Aegypti mosquito, that also spreads dengue. The symptoms include rashes, red eyes, fever and body pain. Till now, WHO claims 60 countries have been affected. The disease can cause growth abnormalities in newborns if their mothers are affected.