Zika Virus Cases Increase To 8 In India’s Maharashtra

India's western state of Maharashtra has recorded eight cases of Zika virus infection, officials said Wednesday.

According to health officials, six people have tested positive for Zika virus infection in Pune while one each has been identified from Ahmednagar and Kolhapur districts.

Officials at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) said they received 106 samples from across the country and so far eight people have tested positive for Zika virus infection.

On Tuesday evening, a 55-year-old woman was detected with Zika virus infection in Pune, which took the number of cases to seven. However, one case that was earlier said to be positive was later found negative.

On June 26, the first case of Zika virus infection was reported at Erandwane, where a 46-year-old doctor's report came positive. His 15-year-old daughter also tested positive.

Later on, two pregnant women were also found to be infected.

The increase in cases has set off concern among health officials. However, officials at NIV said there was no need to panic over the Zika cases in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Pune Municipal Corporation has intensified surveillance and so far surveyed a population of 14,314 in Kothrud, an upmarket residential neighborhood in Pune city.

Officials said mosquito breeding sites were detected across 200 homes. It has undertaken fogging and fumigation to curb the breeding of mosquitoes as a precautionary measure.

The civic body officials have appealed to residents to empty water containers that have not been properly covered.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. The disease is a mild, self-limiting illness that presents with fever, rash and joint pain.

Zika virus infection has been linked to severe birth defects in almost 30 countries. These include microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and restricted brain development.

Although the virus is mostly spread by mosquitoes, it can also be sexually transmitted.
-XINHUA