Another Pregnant Woman in Pune Contracts Zika Virus, Total Cases Rise to Six
Pune, 2nd July 2024: Another pregnant woman from the Erandwane area tested positive for the Zika virus on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed Zika cases in Pune to six. The Pune Municipal Corporation’s health department is actively surveying pregnant women and fever patients in the affected areas of Erandwane and Mundhwa.
The latest case involves a 16-week pregnant woman from Ganesh Nagar in Erandwane. Despite showing no symptoms, her test results came back positive after blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV). This marks the second Zika infection among pregnant women in the same area.
Out of the six confirmed Zika cases in Pune, four are from Erandwane and two from Kodre Wasti in Mundhwa. In response, the PMC has intensified preventive measures in these locations. Blood samples from seven additional pregnant women in the affected areas have been sent for testing. Assistant Health Officer Rajesh Dighe stated that efforts to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites are ongoing.
A meeting was held on Monday by the health department to address the rising Zika outbreak in Pune. Joint Director of Health, Dr. Radhakishan Pawar, officials from the Municipal Health Department, and scientists from NIV attended the meeting. It was decided that genetic sequencing of the Zika virus would be conducted by NIV to better understand the outbreak.
Zika virus infection poses significant risks to fetuses, potentially causing birth defects, premature birth, and other complications. If a pregnant woman is infected, there is a risk of the baby being born with a condition known as microcephaly, where the baby’s head size is reduced. Additionally, Zika can lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder where the body’s immune system attacks parts of the nervous system.
“Pregnant women are advised to avoid areas where Zika is prevalent and women infected with the virus are recommended to avoid pregnancy for at least eight weeks to prevent potential complications”, Dighe appealed.
