A total of 29 of Zika virus have tested positive in Rajasthan so far as seven new cases were reported from the state on October 9.
The Zika virus outbreak has prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to seek a detailed report from the Health Ministry.
Veenu Gupta, additional health secretary of the state for health, confirmed the cases and said they have all been listed. She said close to 200 teams have been formed to conduct a combing operation and 26,000 houses have been surveyed so far.
Official added that blood samples of 450 people, including 168 pregnant women were taken for examining the presence of Zika virus and 29 of them were tested positive.
“If there is a need to collect samples, we’re collecting that on a large scale,” she added.
According to the Health Ministry, a seven-member Central team was deputed to Jaipur following detection of the first case to assist the state government in control and containment measures.
“Additional testing kits are provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. A high-level joint monitoring group of technical experts headed by Directorate General of Health Services has met twice to monitor the preparedness and response measures,” Health Ministry statement said.
The situation in Rajasthan is being reviewed at the level of Union minister of health.
