Jaipur, October 25: Amid the biggest Zika Virus outbreak in Rajasthan, five new cases have been detected in Jaipur today. Till now, out of the total 140 patients who were infected with Zika 131 have recovered. Meanwhile, to make people aware of the virus, On Wednesday, the state health department has issued a toll-free helpline number 1800 180 6127 for control and prevention. A dedicated team of doctors has also been formed to give immediate treatment to affected patients.

A few days back, Rajasthan Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said that door-to-door survey was done for screening and awareness of the virus. The state health department also formed a five-member committee to investigate, examine and track Zika virus disease in pregnant patients. Zika virus has been found in some mosquitoes taken as samples from Sindhi Camp and densely populated Shastri Nagar.

Fogging and other anti-larvae activities are being carried out at these places. Most of the cases which have been reported are from Shastri Nagar area. Earlier this month, Health Minister J P Nadda had chaired a high-level meeting to review the activities for prevention and control of the virus. The minister also stressed the need to undertake exhaustive control measures, including fogging, while strengthening surveillance to facilitate early detection of cases. Zika Virus in India: Nerve Damage, Foetal Deformities and Other Health Risks Associated with The Mosquito-Borne Disease

The Zika virus is transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito and causes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain. It is harmful to pregnant women, as it can lead to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected, in newborn children.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2018 09:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).