On Tuesday, August 7, 2024, civic officials stated that there were at least sixty-six cases of Pune city being infected with the Zika virus in the past two months. As per an official statement, among those affected include twenty-six pregnant women, but most of them are in good health.
However, a senior health official told PTI that four patients died from other causes rather than Zika infection.
The first case of Zika virus infection this year took place on June 20. When a 46-year-old doctor from Erandwane area tested positive. His fifteen-year-old daughter was also found to be positive for the infection.
“The NIV (National Institute of Virology) confirmed that these patients had comorbidities including cardiac problems and liver diseases.” The Health Department official said. The official added that the patients who died were between ages 68 and 78 years old.
Nevertheless, the reports will be forwarded by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Health Department to Maharashtra government which will then send them to the death audit committee. “No death from Zika has yet been reported in India,” he clarified.
Zika virus can lead to microcephaly in a fetus of a pregnant woman (a condition characterized by underdevelopment of brain resulting into an abnormally small head).
It is transmitted through mosquitoes’ bites including dengue fever as well as chikungunya viruses.
“PMC health department conducts surveillance. Fumigation and other mosquito breeding control measures are being undertaken by us as precautionary steps”, read the statement.
