Caracas : Venezuela has recorded 4,700 suspected cases of people infected by the Zika virus, which is thought to cause brain damage in babies, the health ministry said.
The estimate followed thousands of other suspected cases in Latin America which have raised a world health scare over the mosquito-borne virus.
“We have reports of 4,700 patients suspected of being infected with the Zika virus” based on their symptoms, Health Minister Luisana Melo told reporters yesterday.
It was the first such toll from the government in the South American country of 30 million people, which is struggling with an economic and political crisis.
Melo said there were likely far more cases of Zika than the suspected cases so far recorded because most patients do not realise they have the virus since the symptoms are usually mild.
World health authorities suspect that the virus is to blame for a recent rise in the region in cases of microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.
The World Health Organisation said yesterday that Zika is “spreading explosively” in the Americas and the region may see up to four million cases.
Venezuela is among more than 20 countries and territories that have reported cases.
Melo said Venezuela had not yet identified any cases of microcephaly linked to Zika.
She said the government was launching a program to eliminate the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the insect that carries Zika and other tropical fevers.
Melo insisted the authorities were equipped to treat the disease, despite recent shortages of medical supplies due to the country’s severe economic crisis.
She added that Venezuela had also recorded 90 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause paralysis or even death.
That disease has also been linked to Zika but Melo said there was so far no evidence to link the cases in Venezuela with that virus.
@Agency report.
Panaji : Newly formed Goa Forward party has opposed the release of a book on Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse scheduled for tomorrow on the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
The book, titled ‘Nathuram Godse – The Story of an Assassin’ and written by Anup Ashok Sardesai, is scheduled for release tomorrow at the government-owned Ravindra Bhavan in Margao by BJP leader and the bhavan’s chairman Damodar Naik.
“The use of government premises for such an unpatriotic cause should be stopped. We will hold ‘satyagraha’ in front of Ravindra Bhavan if the government allows the function to happen,” Goa Forward’s secretary Mohandas Lolienkar said.
@Agency news.
NEW DELHI : In order to attract investments in infrastructure sector, the finance ministry will organize a two-day India Investment Summit from February 4, which would see the participation of various global investors.
“India Investment Summit organized by Finmin will be held in New Delhi on February 4-5. Global long-term investors will participate,” economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted on Wednesday.
India has been trying to attract foreign investment for “Make in India” campaign with a view to boost economic growth and generating employment. Other economic ministries, roads, highways, oil and gas and railways are expected to participate in the summit.
Various global private equity funds and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are likely to participate in the event, which is being organized by the finance ministry. The ministry is seeking participation from SWFs for the Rs 40,000 crore National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), which will act as a nodal agency for fund long-term projects, including stalled ones.
Since coming to power in May 2014, the NDA government has relaxed foreign direct investment norms in over a dozen sectors including defence, banking, railways, construction and medical devices.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley has on several occasions said the country needs to attract foreign investment to supplement domestic efforts to accelerate growth.
@Agency news.
Hyderabad : Eleven men have been arrested from various parts of the city by the ‘SHE Teams’ of Hyderabad Police for eve-teasing and allegedly harassing women. Two among the arrested persons are drivers and were caught while teasing women during Republic Day celebrations at Parade Grounds here yesterday, police said today.
They were caught red-handed with video evidence, arrested and are being produced in court,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) Swati Lakra said.
The nine men were arrested from different areas on charges of making frequent calls to women, sending messages and obscene pictures, proposing and harassing, stalking, besides teasing and passing comments on them, she added.
‘SHE Teams’ set up in October 2014, are tasked with cracking down on eve-teasers and stalkers.
@ Agency report.
New Delhi : The imposition of President’s rule in crisis-hit Arunachal Pradesh today came under the scanner of the Supreme Court. The court sought the report of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa recommending central rule in the state.
It posted the matter for February one asking the Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs to file responses by Friday on petitions filed by Congress leaders including the plea of Rajesh Tacho, Chief Whip of Congress Legislature party in the state assembly which is now kept under suspended animation.
When Additional Solicitor General Satpal Jain, appearing for the Governor, sought to maintain secrecy of the report and the recommendation for the President’s rule, the bench said, “He will only mention the date of report recommending President’s rule to opposite parties during the course of the day.”
However, the bench for its own perusal sought in a sealed cover the report and recommendation on imposition of the President’s rule.
@Agency report.