No zika cases in Mumbai, but govt vigilant

NIV first identifies the mosquito species in the samples. Representation Pic

Seven cases of zika virus have been reported in Maharashtra this year, with two in Mumbai in late August, another two in Kolhapur, one in Ichalkaranji around the same time, one in Pandharpur, and the latest one reported in Pune.

The state health department has swung into action and initiated disease surveillance, which includes coordinating with medical health officers in urban areas and collecting samples from infected patients and contacts which will be further investigated by the National Institute of Virology (NIV). "We even capture mosquitoes, their eggs and larvae from areas where cases are reported and send them to NIV for further investigation," said Dr Pratapsinh Sarnikar, state's joint director of health.

NIV identifies the mosquito species in the samples and then attempts to look at the presence of zika in its genetic material. Aedes species are known to transmit the zika virus; the same is also responsible for transmitting dengue and chikungunya. "We are observing cases of zika in the same areas where we have witnessed a surge in dengue infections in the last couple of years," said Dr Pradeep Awate, epidemiologist and Maharashtra's former disease surveillance officer.

There have been no zika patients in the city other than the two earlier reported, said Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's executive health officer. "Heat conditions because of rapid urbanisation combined with unusual rain patterns play a role in the rise of aedes mosquitoes. Travel history also plays a role in the case of zika," said Dr Awate.

It is worth noting that most zika patients have no symptoms and overall, the infection is not fatal. Those who do show symptoms display signs similar to that of dengue, including fever, body rash, eye irritation, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2 to 7 days, with no need for hospitalization in most cases.

However, the state health department has issued an advisory, warning that zika virus infection during pregnancy can result in infants being born with an abnormally small head (microcephaly), often indicative of impaired brain development and other birth defects, collectively known as congenital zika syndrome. In adults, the virus also poses a risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system acts against it. When asked if there is a need to increase testing facilities at local level, Dr Sarnikar said because the cases have not been many, at the moment, samples sent to NIV are enough.