Samples of 12 pregnant women sent to NIV for Zika test, PMC ramps up surveillance in Pune to curb infection

“The 28-year-old pregnant woman in her six-month of pregnancy underwent a clinical examination on Wednesday while the 35-year-old woman in her fourth month of pregnancy will undergo a routine ultrasound examination in mid-July,” Dr Dighe added.

Maharashtra has reported 29 cases of Zika virus infection since the first case in 2021. According to reports, eight of them were pregnant women, said Dr Mahendra Jagtap, state entomologist. Four of the eight women delivered babies while a fifth had to undergo abortion for unknown reasons. Three others are at different stages of pregnancy, the Dr Jagtap said.

He added that six of the eight women are from Kolhapur while the two new cases are from Pune. “We are taking immediate surveillance measures at the new locations where the infections have been confirmed,” Dr Jagtap said.

On Wednesday, the Union health ministry directed the states to maintain a state of constant vigil over the zika virus situation in the country. Meanwhile, state authorities have advised districts to be vigilant, prepared and ensure availability of appropriate logistics at all levels.

In July 2021, the first case of Zika virus infection in Maharashtra was reported from the Belsar village in the Purandar block of Pune district. The 50-year-old woman was from Belsar village and was detected with zika virus infection. She also had chikungunya but was stable.