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Pune reported its first case of Zika virus infection this year in a 64-year-old woman from Yerawada.
The woman had symptoms like fever and severe joint pain and was admitted to Jehangir hospital on November 8.
She was detected with Zika virus infection on November 9.
“She is now stable and discharged from the hospital,” Vinod Sawantwadkar, Chief Executive Officer of Jehangir hospital, told The Sunday Express.
So far 10 cases of zika virus infection have been reported in Maharashtra in the last three years and state health officials urged citizens not to panic.
Dr Pratapsingh Sarnikar, joint director of health said that the the death rate due to the infection is low.
A meeting was held recently and district collectors across the state were sent advisory on stepping up fever surveillance and ensuring adequate efforts towards mosquito control.
This year, seven cases of Zika virus have been reported in the state.
In July 2021, one case was reported from Belsar village in Purandar block of Pune district while two cases were reported in 2022 from Palghar and Bavdhan in Haveli block of Pune district.
This year, so far, cases were reported from Chembur, Mumbai, Ichalkaranji, Miraj, Kolhapur, Pandharpur and now Pune.
Zika virus (ZIKV), a vector-borne flavivirus transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Zika virus is similar to dengue fever and is carried by infected aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Zika is largely transmitted through bites.
“While surveillance has been stepped up the disease presentation has been mild,” Sarnikar added.
“Immediate measures like surveillance of fever cases within five km of the patient’s house in Yerawada has already been taken up. Mosquito control should be given top priority by field officers,” state entomologist Dr Mahendra Jagtap said
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“We have appealed to the citizens to ensure that stored water vessels should be properly covered . Instructions have been issued to medical officers to introduce guppy fish in those cement containers that cannot be emptied. Discarded tyres that can be a source for water collection should be disposed of,” Dr Jagtap added.
In the past three years, following the detection of Zika virus infection cases, the state health authorities conducted container surveys and also screened pregnant women as infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects called microcephaly and other brain problems.
Precautionary measures are mainly taken for pregnant women as expectant mothers who contract Zika infection are likely at risk of miscarriage. According to public health department experts there is no specific treatment for infection with the Zika virus. To help relieve symptoms it is important to get plenty of rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
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