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Maharashtra has witnessed an alarming rise in Zika virus cases this year, with the highest number recorded to date. The latest report from Pune city confirmed three new cases, increasing the city's total to 24 and the state's total to 28. This surge marks the highest number of Zika virus infections reported in Maharashtra this year.
Details of Recent Cases
The new cases in Pune include a 27-year-old woman from Kothrud, a 49-year-old man from Lohegaon, and a 14-year-old girl from Tulshibaug Colony, Sahakar Nagar. According to Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, health officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the woman presented symptoms of fever, rash, and joint pain. Her samples, sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on July 6, tested positive for Zika virus on July 16.
Similarly, the man from Lohegaon, who also experienced fever, rash, and body ache, had his samples sent on July 7. His positive test result came back on Tuesday. Notably, this patient had recently undergone angioplasty and is dealing with a cardiac condition, as stated by Dr Suryakant Devkar, assistant health officer of the PMC. The young girl exhibited symptoms including fever, rash, and headache. Her samples were sent for testing on July 8, and the confirmation of Zika virus infection arrived on Tuesday.
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Broader Impact and Monitoring
Dr Baliwant mentioned that 12 additional samples from suspected patients have been sent to the NIV Pune. Among these, seven samples are from pregnant women, which underscores the severity and potential impact of the virus. These samples come from various areas, including Kalas, Kharadi, Pashan, and Kondhwa.
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Since June 20, PMC has reported 24 cases of Zika virus, with 10 of these cases involving pregnant women. Dr Radhakishan Pawar, joint director of health services, highlighted that all cases in Pune district were reported within a single month, indicating active transmission in multiple ward offices such as Karve Nagar-Warje, Hadapsar, Kothrud-Bavdhan, and others.
Insights from Health Experts
Experts from the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) have observed local transmission of the Zika virus in Pune. They suggest that more cases could emerge if further testing is conducted. Unlike other cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Kerala, where Zika outbreaks were more clustered, Pune's cases appear to be more sporadic, suggesting a broader spread of Zika-infected mosquitoes across multiple locations.
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Historical Context and Transmission
The first reported case of Zika virus in Maharashtra occurred in July 2021 in a 50-year-old woman from Belsar village in Pune district. That year, the state reported 27 cases, followed by three cases in 2022 and 15 cases in 2023. The current year has already surpassed these numbers with 28 reported cases, including 24 from Pune city, two from Pune rural areas (Saswad and Bhugaon), and one each from Sangamner and Kolhapur.
Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are also known carriers of dengue and chikungunya. Most Zika virus infections are either asymptomatic or present mild symptoms such as fever, rash, conjunctivitis, body ache, and joint pain. However, the virus poses significant risks to pregnant women, potentially leading to congenital microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and other neurological complications.
Response and Future Outlook
The rise in Zika virus cases in Maharashtra, particularly in Pune, calls for heightened surveillance and preventive measures. Health officials are actively monitoring the situation and conducting extensive testing to identify and contain the spread of the virus. Public awareness campaigns about the symptoms and preventive measures against mosquito bites are also crucial in mitigating the impact of the virus.
Bottomline
The surge in Zika cases this year highlights the need for continued vigilance and robust public health strategies to prevent further outbreaks. As the situation evolves, it remains imperative for both health authorities and the public to collaborate in combating the spread of the Zika virus and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.