Health department urges people to be cautious about Zika virus
Bengaluru: In view of the increasing number of big cats in residential areas, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ishwar B Khandre on Monday directed the department to set up a leopard task force for Bengaluru for quick response in rescuing the animals.
Noting that there is a general trend for more wildlife to move out of the forests due to food shortage following a weak monsoon this year, Khandre said the sighting of animals on the outskirts of the city has created panic among people.
“There is a need to immediately set up a task force to rescue leopards wandering in human habitations and translocate or rehabilitate them,” the minister said.
Earlier, in view of the increasing human-elephant conflict, Khandre had ordered the formation of a task force for Bengaluru (Bannerghatta) and Ramanagara. He said similar measures should be implemented in places with good populations of leopards and bears.
He said that a well-equipped task force can be formed for each of the three districts having hilly and forest areas. Khandre stressed the need for adequate training including mock operations to ensure preparedness.Zika virus: Kerala
Health department urges people to be cautious about Zika virus
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Health Department on Monday issued a directive urging people to remain alert against Zika virus. The directive was issued in response to the outbreak of the virus in Thalassery area of North Kannur district.
The department said that symptoms like fever, headache, body ache, joint pain and redness of eyes should be taken seriously.
It urged the public to immediately notify health workers if they notice these symptoms.
“If symptoms of Zika virus are seen in patients, health care providers should pay special attention to them,” the statement said.
The statement was issued after a high-level meeting held here chaired by Health Minister Veena George reviewed the Zika virus cases in Thalassery.
Currently, eight cases of Zika virus have been confirmed there.
The department said that if pregnant women are affected by the virus, there is a possibility of birth defects like microcephaly in the unborn child. Therefore, special monitoring of pregnant women should be done in areas with reported cases of the disease, it said.
The department has instructed doctors to separately examine pregnant women affected by fever.
It states that Zika virus is mainly spread by the Aedes mosquito, but it can also spread through blood donation and sexual contact.
The department called for intensifying activities related to mosquito breeding and fogging.
He also directed schools, homes and institutions in Kannur district to observe dry days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to prevent mosquito breeding.
