**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1105, addressed on July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides data on Zika virus infections detected in India over the past five years. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) is responsible for surveillance and response to communicable diseases, including Zika virus. Zika virus was first reported in India in 2017, with subsequent sporadic outbreaks. Data reported by states on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal indicates the following number of Zika virus cases: 234 in 2021, 2 in 2022, 23 in 2023, 83 in 2024 and 0 in 2025. Several indigenous test kits for detecting Zika virus infection, approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), are available, including Genes2Me RTPCR, DIAGSure RTPCR, and Quantiplus RTPCR. Additionally, a number of CDSCO-approved imported kits are also available in the Indian market.
Key Entities Referenced
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Zika Virus: A mosquito-borne virus that can cause illness known as Zika fever.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
DR.THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN: Member of Parliament who posed the question about Zika Virus cases.
SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): A program at the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) responsible for surveillance and response to communicable diseases.
National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC): A national institute in India for disease control.
Gujarat: A state in India where Zika virus was first reported in 2017.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): National Regulatory Authority of India, under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, responsible for approval of drugs and test kits.
Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP): A platform used by states to report Zika virus cases.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1105
TO BE ANSWERED ON25.07.2025
CASES OFZIKAVIRUS
1105 DR.THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:-
(a) whether the Government has data on the number of Zika Virus infection detected in our
countryduring the last five years;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof,year-wise;
(c) whether the necessary assays and accurate test kit for detecting Zika Virus infection is
availableinthe countryandif so, the detailsthereof; and
(d) whether the kit is indigenously produced or imported in the country and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH & FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b) Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at National Centre for Diseases
Control (NCDC), is mandated with surveillance & response to 50 plus outbreak prone
communicable diseases including Zika virus. Zika virus was first reported in India in 2017
when cases were reported from Gujarat. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in
different parts of the country. Details of Zika virus cases as reported by States on Integrated
HealthInformationPlatform (IHIP)portal are asunder;
Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Number of 234 2 23 83 0
Zika Virus
Cases
(c) & (d) The indigenous test kits approved byCentral Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO) for Zika virus testing are Genes2Me RTPCR, DIAGSure
RTPCR ,Quantiplus RTPCR. There are a number of CDSCO approved imported kits
availableinIndian marketaswell.
***