National Institute of Virology director Dr Naveen Kumar has stressed on citizens to not panic over the Zika cases in Pune. “We have received 106 samples from across the country and so far six have tested positive for Zika virus infection in Pune while one each has been identified from Ahmednagar and Kolhapur,” Dr Kumar said. “We have the capability of testing the viral genome and zika virus antibodies. So far two samples have been sequenced. Presently the Zika virus in Pune belongs to the asian lineage,” Dr Gajanan Sapkal , scientist-in-charge of the diagnostic virology group at NIV said. Zika virus is a vector-borne flavivirus transmitted by the bite of infected aedes mosquitoes- mainly aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus. The disease is a mild, self-limiting illness that presents with fever, rash and joint pain. However it attracted worldwide attention with reports indicating an association with microcephaly and serious neurological involvement, Dr Sapkal has explained in a report in the Journal of Infection. While an Indian Council of Medical Research study published in 2022 has indicated the spread of Zika virus to several states of India and called for an urgent need to strengthen its surveillance, experts in the Journal of Vector-borne diseases (Jan-March 2024) have observed that during a concurrent research across the nation, Zika infection among sporadic cases were discovered and the Asian lineage was circulating. The experts said that two critical mutations linked to microcephaly were absent from the Zika virus infections. When contacted, Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra genome sequencing coordinator told The Indian Express that they will start testing for Zika virus infection soon at B J Government Medical College. “We have also written to the state seeking permission for taking up genome sequencing tests,” he said. The PMC has intensified surveillance and on July 2, surveyed a population of 14,314 across 6087 homes in Kothrud. Mosquito breeding sites were detected across 200 homes. “We have stepped up indoor and outdoor fogging activities in the areas where Zika cases have been identified,” Dr Dighe said. He has appealed citizens to empty water containers that have not been properly covered apart from ensuring that they are well protected by judicious use of mosquito repellent creams. 45—year-old woman from Kothrud detected with Zika virus The Pune Municipal Corporation reported yet another case of Zika virus infection in a 45 year old woman from Dahanukar colony, Kothrud. The woman had symptoms of fever, joint pain and rash. ”Her report has tested positive for Zika virus infection,” Dr Rajesh Dighe, Assistant chief medical officer, Pune Municipal Corporation said. He pointed out that this was the 7th case of Zika virus infection. Of the seven cases one sample (of a woman from Mundhwa) had tested positive at a private hospital. However by the time that sample was sent to NIV it was negative for Zika virus infection.
