Pune reports 6 cases of Zika virus; 2 patients are pregnant

The Zika virus disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya

The Pune region has reported six cases of Zika virus infection, the city health officials have said. The infected include two pregnant women.

"A 28-year-old pregnant woman from the Erandwane area was detected with Zika virus infection. Her reports came positive on Friday,” an official said on July 1. Another woman, who is 12- weeks pregnant, tested positive on July 1. “The condition of both women is good and they have no symptoms," the official said.

Zika virus in pregnant women may cause microcephaly (condition in which the head is significantly smaller due to abnormal brain development) in the foetus.

The first case of Zika virus infection was reported from Erandwane when a 46-year-old doctor's report returned positive. After that his 15-year-old daughter's samples also tested positive. “The other two cases, of a 47-year-old woman and 22-year-old man, are from Mundhwa," the official said.

The Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947.

According to WHO, the majority of people infected with Zika virus do not develop symptoms. Symptoms are generally mild including fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and headache, and usually last for two–seven days.

"The Pune Municipal Corporation's health department is conducting surveillance. As a precautionary measure, it is taking measures such as fogging and fumigation to curb the breeding of mosquitoes," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)