Zika virus infection in India

The Times of India has reported that a case of Zika virus disease was identified in Shadipur, northeast Delhi, in late November 2021, the first known occurrence of the disease in the Delhi area.

On 30 November 2021, the Indian Minister of State for Health reported that India had reported 231 other cases of Zika virus infection so far this year, with 147 in Uttar Pradesh, 83 in Kerala, and one in Maharashtra. 

Zika virus infection is caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV), and is spread by mosquito bites which in pregnancy may result in congenital Zika syndrome, with potentially severe consequences for babies.

Advice for travellers

All travellers to countries that have reported ZIKV infection should be made aware of the following health advice. 

• Follow mosquito bite avoidance measures, especially travellers who are pregnant or planning pregnancy. 
• If sexually active, using condoms and contraception will help reduce the risk of sexual transmission of ZIKV and the risk of ZIKV in pregnancy, and should be practiced during travel and on return for two months if female, or three months if male. 
• If pregnant, travellers should check with their travel insurance company that they are covered under the policy before booking their trip, and be aware that the risk of ZIKV in any country may change during the time between planning the trip and travelling. 
• For travellers who are pregnant, planning pregnancy and to prevent onward sexual transmission, additional travel recommendations will be listed under the Emerging Health Risks tab of TRAVAX country pages and the Alerts section of fitfortravel country pages.

Further information on ZIKV can be found on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 14 December 2021