Karnataka govt writes to Health Ministry on Zika virus, says situation is well under control
Bengaluru, Nov 3: The Karnataka government on Friday wrote to the Union Health Ministry on the detection of Zika virus in mosquitoes in the state's Chikkaballapura district and stated that the situation is "well under control."
The state health department said in the letter that in view of Zika virus detected in Aedes mosquitoes in Talakayalabetta village in Chikkaballapura district, vector control measures have been intensified and actions taken.
"An area of 5 km diameter is notified as 'Containment Zone (CZ)' for surveillance purpose," the letter said.
The serum samples of pregnant women are submitted to National Institute of Virology, Bengaluru. Indoor space spray with Pyrethrum (2 per cent) is being done in the affected village. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) sessions are conducted in the villages of CZ," the state government said.
It also said there are five villages in the CZ and It has a primary healthcare centre. So far, 34 serum samples including that of fever cases have been submitted.
"The situation is closely monitored by state programme division and necessary technical support is provided. Further, an advisory regarding measures to be followed for Zika virus disease prevention by Healthcare workers and the general public is issued by the Health Commissioner. In total, the situation is well under control," it added.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Thursday officials of the Department have held a special meeting and chalked out a plan to take necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
"So far, the Zika virus has not been detected in humans. However, as a precautionary measure, the blood samples of those affected by the fever have been sent for further testing and the report will be received in three days," he had said.
He requested the public to not panic, as the Zika virus is not as deadly as the Nipah virus.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BS Yediyurappa appeals to MLA Yatnal's group to work unitedly to strengthen party
Bengaluru, Nov 26: With a group of Karnataka BJP leaders led by Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal holding a parallel agitation over the waqf issue, veteran party leader B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday accused them of doing it because of their "self-conceit", and appealed them to work unitedly to strengthen the party.
The former Karnataka chief minister also said that everyone should take the responsibility for the party's defeat in the Assembly bypolls for three segments, even as the BJP's performance is being seen as a "setback" for his son and state president B Y Vijayendra.
"State president B Y Vijayendra has appealed to Basangouda Patil Yatnal and others to stop protesting separately, and work with us unitedly. Despite this, because of their self-conceit, they are doing such things. It is not right on their part," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I appeal to them at least now to come forward and cooperate to strengthen the party together."
When told that they are not willing to work unitedly with the state's current leadership of the party and whether he will bring it to the notice of the high command, Yediyurappa said, "We will do our duty. The rest is left to them and central leadership...high command knows everything. Let's see what they will do."
Yatnal-led group include BJP MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi, B P Harish, and former lawmakers Aravind Limbavali, Kumar Bangarappa and G M Siddeshwara and others.
The leaders, who had stayed away from the protest recently held by the party on the Waqf issue, on Monday held a parallel agitation over the issue in Bidar. Today, they are in Kalaburagi district.
Yatnal and Jarkiholi have been openly critical of Vijayendra, accusing him of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress, and trying to keep the party in his clutches along with his father Yediyurappa.
Noting that the party had faced a setback in the bypolls for Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna, Yediyurappa said, "We accept that. What shortcomings were being discussed in the party. It should be ensured that such things don't repeat."
To a question whether the bypoll loss is being seen as a setback to his son Vijayendra, he said, "It is not a question of Vijayendra or Yediyurappa. The loss in all the three seats is a setback for us (party). Everyone should take the responsibility and see to it that such things don't repeat."
