Zika Outbreak in India: Woman Tests Positive in Ahmedabad

Zika virus infected nearly 150 cases in Rajasthan and now started spreading to the neighboring Gujarat state.

Zika outbreak is spreading across the country, The Health authorities in Gujarat reported that a woman has been tested positive for the mosquito-borne Zika virus infection and was treated at a state hospital in Ahmedabad, as the first confirmed case outside Rajasthan this year.

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Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

‘Zika outbreak has been detected in the second Indian state. The mosquito-borne Zika virus which infected nearly 150 cases in Rajasthan has begun to spread across the neighboring Gujarat state. A woman in Ahmedabad has been tested positive for the deadly Zika virus.’
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According to Ahmedabad municipal commissioner Vijay Nehra, the woman was admitted to the hospital for gynecological issues. Her blood samples were tested to check if she had dengue or malaria. But, she tested negative.

In a precautionary measure, doctors sent the blood samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for a test for Zika virus.

"The NIV has confirmed that she was infected with Zika virus. But, the woman has already recovered and has been discharged," Nehra added.

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HIV test adapted for developing a rapid diagnostic test for Zika virus. Detection of Zika virus using reverse-transcription LAMP coupled with reverse dot blot analysis in saliva may enable quick detection of the virus.

The state health department has urged hundreds of doctors and medical personnel to conduct emergency screening tests for Zika, including more than 250 pregnant women with fevers.

Gujarat Commissioner of Health Jayanthi Ravi said that Zika virus mainly spreads through mosquito bites. The mosquitoes which carry the dengue and chikungunya virus also carry the deadly Zika virus. So, the safest way to prevent its spread is to control the mosquitoes.

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Zika virus infection may be causing more pregnancy losses or stillborn babies than we believe. Therefore, it is important to screen all pregnant women living in areas where Zika virus infection is widespread.

In rare cases, if pregnant women get infected with the Zika virus, their babies can develop brain defects, thereby affecting the health of the unborn child.

Source-Medindia

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