WHO said that in the past sporadic Zika virus cases were reported from Thailand and Maldives. (Reuters Photo)
World Health Organisation today urged Southeast Asian countries and India to strengthen surveillance and take preventive measures against Zika virus, especially as the mosquito responsible for its spread is found in many areas of the region.
WHO also urged countries in the region to build capacity of their laboratories to detect the virus and strengthen surveillance for cases of fever and rash, neurological syndromes and birth defects while recommending intensifying vector control programme measures.
"Countries in the region should strengthen surveillance and take preventive measures against the Zika virus which is strongly suspected to have a causal relation with clusters of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities," advised WHO Southeast Asia Regional Director Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Adding further, she said,"Countries should build capacity of their laboratories to detect the virus and strengthen surveillance for cases of fever and rash, neurological syndromes and birth defects."
Ms Singh also advised that Countries should intensify their vector control program and prepare health services for managing Zika virus.
The World Health Organisation declared an international emergency yesterday over the explosive spread of Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the Americas, saying it is an "extraordinary event".
The Centre today also issued detailed guidelines, including a travel advisory for pregnant women urging them to either defer or cancel their travel to the areas affected with the virus.
Ms Singh said Zika virus is of "concern" in the WHO Southeast Asia region as the Aedes aegyptii mosquito which is responsible for its spread is found in many areas and there is "no evidence of immunity" to the virus in many populations of the area.
WHO's South-East Asia Region comprises 11 countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
It said that in the past sporadic Zika virus cases were reported from Thailand and Maldives.