- As per the government, Zika Virus strain that causes microcephaly has not been found in Rajasthan.
- Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected. Union Health Ministry in a statement said it is reviewing the situation on a daily basis.
- It said, about 2000 samples were tested for Zika virus out of which 159 cases were confirmed positive.
- Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology, Pune has sequenced five Zika virus strains collected during the Jaipur outbreak. The studies suggest that the known mutations linked to fetal microcephaly are not present in the current strain.
- Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of the disease include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache
