Maharashtra: Three Zika virus cases reported from Kolhapur and Pune

Maharashtra reported three more confirmed cases of the Zika virus Of the three cases two were reported from Kolhapurs Ichalkaranji within first 10 days of September while one case was reported from Punes Vadgaon area in the last week of AugustConfirming the cases Dr Pratapsinh Sarinkar joint director of health services Maharashtra stated that the state government has started disease surveillance and contact tracing in the areas where the confirmed cases resideBoth the cases from Kolhapurrsquos Ichalkaranji are reported in the above50yearold age groupDr Sarinkar added ldquoThe cases in Ichalkaranji do not have any travel history Both are sporadic cases a single case that canrsquot be linked to another caseZika Virus Disease is a mild illness caused by the Zika virus The disease is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes Symptoms of Zika virus Disease include Fever skin rashes conjunctivitis muscle and joint pain malaise and headacheThe Zika Virus Disease is selflimiting Around 80 per cent of people who are infected with Zika virus are asymptomatic The Aedes mosquito which spreads the Zika virus also transmits Dengue and chikungunya It usually lasts for two to seven days Most of these symptoms are similar to viral illness and infection therefore Zika virus cannot be identified just from the symptoms itself and needs to be diagnosed through a blood testSpeaking about the Zika virus Dr Anita Mathew DirectorInternal Medicine Fortis Hospital Mulund said ldquoZika virus is a mosquitoborne infection that spreads through a mosquito bite So itrsquos important to take all the necessary preventive measures to avoid a mosquito bite This will not only prevent us from getting the Zika virus but will also help us stay away from Malaria Dengue or Japanese EncephalitisrdquoAdding more information Dr Jitendra Choudhary Consultant Intensive Care amp Critical Care Hiranandani Hospital Vashi said ldquoZika virus infection can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their babies It can cause Microcephaly a condition where the babys head is smaller than normal and other neurological problems Zika virus infection can also trigger GuillainBarreacute Syndrome a rare disorder that affects the nerves and musclesrdquoldquoThere is no specific vaccine or treatment for Zika virus infection The best way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents wearing longsleeved clothes and removing stagnant water where mosquitoes can breedrdquo he addedEarlier Mumbai reported two Zika viruspositive cases On August 23 Mumbai reported its first Zika virus case after a 79yearold Chembur resident was infected by the virus The Zika virus case was confirmed by the National Viral Institute NIV PuneAnother Zika virus case in Mumbai was reported on September 2 second case was confirmed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC after a 15yearold female from Kurla was reported to have tested positive