Pune Reports Seventh Zika Virus Case (image/pixabay)
The number of cases of the Zika virus detected in Pune has risen to seven, as per civic officials on Tuesday. Among the infected are two pregnant women who, according to health officials, are in stable condition and are asymptomatic.
Union Health Ministry has urged all states to remain vigilant through the screening of pregnant women from Zika virus infection and monitoring the growth of the foetus of pregnant mothers who have tested positive. The advisory also urged all states to strengthen vector control activities in residential areas, schools, health facilities and more.
Union Health Ministry issues advisory to states in view of Zika virus cases from Maharashtra. States urged to maintain a state of constant vigil through screening of pregnant women for Zika virus infection and monitoring the growth of foetus of expecting mothers who tested… pic.twitter.com/lHFZkDfn5i
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024
The recent case detected is of a woman, aged 45, from Dahanukar Colony in Kothrud who complained of fever, rashes, and joint pain. Upon a preliminary health checkup, the doctors at the private hospital suspected it to be Zika, a mosquito-borne virus. Their suspicions were confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on Tuesday.
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The first Zika case was first reported from Erandwane when a 46-year-old doctor’s results came back positive. Following the report by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on June 20, its health department took precautionary measures such as fumigation and fogging to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and is operating a surveillance drive.
Among the pregnant patients, one is a 28-year-old from the Erandwane area, while the other is 12 weeks pregnant. Both women are in stable condition with no symptoms.
Leading virologists warned that the virus may be spreading across the country and raised concerns over the “critical gaps” in India’s testing abilities to detect and track the disease, according to a report by the Times of India.
What Is The Zika Virus?
The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, also carriers of dengue and chikungunya. While most people with Zika virus infection do not show symptoms, those who do usually develop symptoms such as fever, muscle and joint pain, rashes on the skin, conjunctivitis, and headaches lasting for around 2 to 7 days.
During pregnancy, the infection can cause newborns to develop microcephaly and other congenital malformations. It may also lead to preterm birth and miscarriage. The Zika virus infection is associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis in both adults and children.
