Zika virus alert at Biju Patnaik Airport

Bhubaneswar: Keeping in mind the global health alert over the dreaded Zika virus, authorities of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) have issued an alert at the airport here on Thursday.

Though it is yet to find a person infected with the Zika virus here, airport officials have put up advisories besides setting up a special cell for the incoming international passengers.

Sources said airport officials have been conducting tests on passengers, especially those coming from European and American countries.

“We are monitoring passengers coming from abroad, especially from Africa and the US, besides putting up a board besides the immigration cell,” airport director Sharad Kumar said.

It is worthwhile to mention that the Union Health Ministry has recently issued an advisory on disease surveillance and control measures over Zika infection outbreak in several countries.