Avoid non-essential travel to Zika-affected countries, Centre urges citizens

The Centre on Tuesday advised citizens against non-essential travel to countries affected by Zika and urged pregnant women to defer or cancel such visits.

Guidelines issued by the health ministry on combating the deadly virus also urged travellers to affected countries to take strict protective measures like using mosquito repellants. People with diabetes and hypertension were asked to seek medical advice before travelling to affected countries.

The disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- which commonly transmits the dengue virus -- has been reported in 22 countries and territories in the Americas. The virus is known to cause microcephaly, in which newborns have underdeveloped skulls and brains.

The ministry's guidelines on Zika come a day after World Health Organization declared a global emergency.

The health ministry said that all international airports and ports will display signage with information on the disease. Travellers will be asked to report to customs if they are returning from affected countries and suffering from febrile illness, it added.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said he has asked for steps to be taken to prevent entry and transmission of the virus in India .

The overall situation will be monitored by a 'joint monitoring group' under Director General of Health Services (DGHS) while the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) would identify the research priorities and take appropriate action.

Here are the highlights of the advisory:

#Non-essential travel to the affected countries to be deferred/ cancelled

#Pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant should defer/ cancel their travel to the affected areas

#All travellers to affected countries/ areas should strictly follow individual protective measures, especially during day time, to prevent mosquito bites (use of mosquito repellant cream, electronic mosquito repellants, use of bednets, and dress that appropriately covers most of the body parts).

#Persons with co-morbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory illness, Immune disorders etc) should seek advice from the nearest health facility, prior to travel to an affected country.

#Travellers having febrile illness within two weeks of return from an affected country should report to the nearest health facility.

#Pregnant women who have travelled to areas with Zika virus transmission should mention about their travel during ante-natal visits in order to be assessed and monitored appropriately.

#All international Airports / Ports will display billboards/ signage providing information to travelers on Zika virus disease and to report to Custom authorities if they are returning from affected countries and suffering from febrile illness.

#Airport / Port Health Organization (APHO / PHO) would have quarantine / isolation facility in identified airports.

#International airlines to follow recommended aircraft disinfection guidelines.