THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two more Zika cases have been reported from the state capital, taking the total cases to 21 in Kerala. A 35-year-old man from the coastal hamlet of Poonthura and a-41-yer-old woman from Sasthamangalam in the city have tested positive.
However, of the 15 samples sent for testing to medical college hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, 13 tested negative of Zika.
One case was reported on Monday and three cases were reported on Sunday which included a 22-month-old kid. All the 21 cases have been reported from the state capital so far.
The central team which is visiting the state to review the situation has directed the government to strictly ensure mosquito control measures. The 21 positive cases include 14 health care workers of a private hospital. They reside at Nanthencode from where water samples have been collected for testing.
The central team had a discussion with the district health administration of Thiruvananthapuram and also visited the areas from where the Zika virus infections have been reported.
“We have given specific instruction to test all pregnant women who are coming with dengue or chikungunya symptoms. We have also given directive to all scanning centres in the district to report suspected cases immediately to the district health authorities,” said Dr K S Shinu, district medical officer, after meeting the central team.
The central team has directed the health department to work towards mosquito eradication which can prevent the spread of the virus.
The health department has collected samples from the people who have come in contact with the positive people and also from their neighbourhood.
