Zika virus in India: A Cause for Concern

Abstract

Zika virus is an emerging arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquito which is also responsible for diseases like
Dengue, Chikungunya and yellow fever. The disease originated from a forest in Uganda and has spread to countries in
Africa, Latin America and Asia, due to rapid globalization, urbanization, abundant presence of vector and increased travel.
On 22nd October 2021, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh reported a positive case of Zika Virus Disease (ZVD) and a
multidisciplinary team was rushed for control and containment of disease. Since the epidemiological triad of agent, host
and environment are all conducive to the spread of Zika in India, there is a great threat that it might become a public
health threat in our country. We need appropriate public health strategies at the earliest to deal with the risk of a major
Zika outbreak.