‘Unwary’ residents not in panic over spread of virus
North Jaipur’s Shastri Nagar, the ground zero from where all 29 cases of Zika virus were reported, belies the usual panic associated with the mosquito-borne disease.
According to the health department, residents are not wary of the virus and have, in some cases, objected to visits by its officials.
A senior official from the health department said many residents did not allow health teams to enter their houses to check breeding spots, if any.
“Either they refused to let us enter their house or asked us to come later. In some houses, we asked people to get rid of breeding spots. They either asked us to clean the spots or said they would do it themselves when they are free,” the official said.
The health department has formed 170 teams for the door-todoor inspection in Shastri Nagar.
Mohsin Khan, 25, a resident of Sector 3 at Shastri Nagar, said, “The health department teams
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are coming daily and conducting the survey. They have visited my house and found no breeding spots and no one suffering from fever.” Another resident said the health department had distributed pamphlets on symptoms and dos and don’ts on Zika. “Announcements are being made and pamphlets distributed. We are taking precautions as directed by health officials,” 60-year-old Mohammad Rahamatuallah said.
Additional chief secretary of the health department Veenu Gupta on Tuesday admitted challenges during the survey.
“…but the department is making all possible efforts to contain Zika virus. Many people have refused entry to their house, and several disallowed us to take samples,” Gupta said.