Bhubaneswar: Authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) Thursday put in place measures to monitor incoming passengers at the international terminal for the deadly Zika virus, which is rapidly spreading globally.
“Health experts will check international passengers coming from areas such as Africa, the Pacific Islands, Ecuador, Brazil, etc., at the screening counter of the immigration section. Any passenger coming from these areas should visit the nearest hospital if they develop symptoms such as onset of acute fever, rashes, joint pains and conjunctivitis,” said BPIA director Sharad Kumar.
BPIA was instructed by the central government’s ministry of health and family welfare to take precautionary measures at the international terminal against Zika virus. As part of these measures, awareness pamphlets are being distributed at BPIA’s immigration counter and steps are also being taken to handle any emergency situation arising out of detection of people carrying the virus, added Kumar.
Currently, there is no vaccine or medicine for infection by Zika virus. The central ministry of health and family welfare has advised people to defer all non-essential travel to countries affected by the virus. India has not reported any case of Zika virus infection so far, but incoming passengers are being screened at international terminals of the airports.
With health experts saying that the spread of Zika virus can be significantly curbed by strong mosquito-control measures, BPIA has already started measures to prevent mosquito breeding spots on its premises. PNN
