State to take steps to prevent Zika virus entry

Health Minister U T Khader on Friday said he would hold discussions with representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Karnataka and the Health department officials on the screening protocols required at airports to prevent entry of the deadly Zika virus.

“We will go according to the advice given by the WHO. If screening is required, we will have experts deployed at the airports to screen passengers with the symptoms of Zika infection and help in checking the further spread of the virus,” he said.

The virus, spread by mosquitoes, leads to a condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads. Pregnant women need to be cautious. Discussions are on to supply repellents, he said.