Health ministry experts to inspect Mumbai airport for Zika measures

Unhappy with the report submitted by BMC regarding precautionary measures taken in the surrounding areas of Mumbai airport, a group of medical experts from the Union Health Ministry are going to conduct an inspection in the airport and surrounding areas. This is being done considering the rising cases of Zika in countries like Australia, Singapore and Taiwan.

A team of experts from Delhi are going to land in the city to inspect areas surrounding the city airport. File pic for representation

A team of experts from Delhi are going to land in the city to inspect areas surrounding the city airport. They will conduct an inspection on September 4 and 5. This move comes after the BMC submitted a report to the Union Health Ministry regarding the steps taken to curb the spread of the virus in the city. However, the ministry was dissatisfied with the report and hence, is sending their own experts.

"The union ministry had asked us to submit a report on the status and precautionary measures taken by all states regarding the spread of Zika virus. But Delhi officers were not satisfied with the report we submitted last month. So, they are sending their officers to run the inspections," said an officer.

The officers are going to inspect the areas in and around the airport that records the most number of foreigners regularly travelling through it. The experts will also visit the slums around the airport and collect samples for analysis. "The team is going to collect water samples as the slum dwellers keep water stored in vessels, which becomes a breeding ground for the virus. Plus, as it is close to the airport, the area becomes more vulnerable," said the officer. Confirming the news, Suresh Pawar, pest control officer, BMC said, "The officers are going to come for two days to inspect the areas for Zika virus as areas around airports have been kept on high alert." Following this, the experts will also visit JNPT and submit a report to the Union Ministry.