Zika virus cases in Kerala rose up to 15

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One more person has been tested positive for Zika virus in Kerala bringing the overall number of cases to 15.

The samples of a 40-year-old man from Nanthancode were forwarded to the National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha and proved to be positive for the vector-borne virus, said Health Minister Veena George.

14 people from Thiruvananthapuram have tested positive for the Zika virus, out of the total cases of the infection.

The minister noted in a press statement that 17 of the 17 people whose samples had been sent earlier had tested negative, and one of the 27 samples in the second batch had tested positive.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

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"Zika has been reported in the state, which is not surprising given that it is spread by the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chickungunya,"said state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

He also said that vector control units at the local and state levels would be strengthened.

Following the Zika virus outbreak in Kerala, the district government increased vehicle checks on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border yesterday.

According to reports, vigilance was maintained at 14 strategic sites and checkpoints in Walayar and Meenakshipuram and since the spread of COVID-19, persons entering the district from Kerala were required to have an e-pass.

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