Maharashtra reported its first case of zika virus on Saturday in Pune’s Belsar village, becoming the second state to do so after Kerala.
A 50-year-old woman from Pune’s Purandar tehsil tested positive for the infection on Friday, according to state public health officials. Chickungunya has also been detected in the woman.
A team from public health department officials visited the Belsar village to carry out an inspection. “The zika patient in Belsar village has completely recovered and she has no symptoms now. State rapid response team also carried out an inspection in the village and conducted a meeting with the local authorities and health staff to inform them about the guidelines,” said Dr Pradip Awate, state surveillance officer.
Zika virus infection can be caused by the zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne human flavivirus. It is spread primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite in the early mornings or late evenings. Fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache are all common symptoms.
Kerala has reported a total of 63 zika virus cases as of Saturday. On July 8, the state reported its first case of zika virus in a pregnant woman, prompting a statewide alert and the request for experts to monitor cases. Three of the 63 cases are active, and none of them are hospitalised, according to state health minister Veena George.
