NEW DELHI - India's federal health ministry Wednesday issued an advisory to all states in the South Asian country in view of Zika virus cases being reported from Maharashtra.

The ministry urged the states to keep constant vigilance through screening of pregnant women for the virus and monitoring the growth of foetuses in expecting mothers who tested positive for Zika.

"As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the foetus of the affected pregnant women, states have been advised to alert the clinicians for close monitoring," the health ministry said.

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Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. In the majority of people, the infection is a mild, self-limiting illness with symptoms including fever, rash and joint pain

The ministry has instructed the states to advise health facilities and hospitals to identify a nodal officer to monitor and act to keep the premises Aedes mosquito free.

It has emphasized the importance of strengthening entomological surveillance and intensifying vector control activities in residential areas, workplaces, schools, construction sites, institutions and health facilities.

The ministry urged the states to immediately report any detected case to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) and National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

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As of Tuesday, Maharashtra has reported eight Zika virus infections.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. In the majority of people, the infection is a mild, self-limiting illness with symptoms including fever, rash and joint pain.