The Delhi government is alert and watchful amid Zika virus cases reported in Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Saturday.

Thirty more people have tested positive for Zika virus in Kanpur on Friday, taking the total number of those infected in the district to 66, including 9 IAF personnel.

Of those infected, 45 are men and 21 women, according to officials.

The first case in Kanpur was reported on October 23 when an Indian Air Force (IAF) warrant officer tested positive for Zika virus.

Among the 66 tested positive for Zika virus, 9 are from IAF.

Samples were collected from various pockets in the neighbouring areas of IAF station hangars and sent to the lab at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow for testing.

Thirty of them came back positive for Zika virus.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus and hence, getting rid of mosquitoes is the safe way out, District Magistrate said.

To check the spread of the disease, health teams are undertaking sanitisation programmes including anti-larvae spraying and identifying fever patients, screening seriously ill people and pregnant women.

Health officials have been asked to step up surveillance and ensure door-to-door sampling and testing for Zika virus.

“We advise the local people not to panic regarding the sudden spurt in Zika virus cases,” an official said.

A high alert has been sounded in the periphery of hangars of the IAF station, another official said.

To check the spread of Zika virus, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the health department to ensure strict surveillance and to undertake frequent and extensive door-to-door sanitisation and fogging drives to prevent mosquito breeding