Pune: A 46-year-old doctor and his teenage daughter in Pune have tested positive for the Zika virus, according to a health official. The doctor, residing in the Erandwane area, exhibited symptoms including fever and rashes, leading to his admission to a private hospital.
His blood samples, sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on June 21, confirmed the Zika infection. Following his diagnosis, blood samples from his five family members were tested, and his 15-year-old daughter also tested positive. Both are reported to be in stable condition, according to NDTV report.
What Is The Zika Virus?
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are active during the day. The Zika virus was first identified in 1947 in Uganda’s Zika forest. For many years, it remained largely confined to Africa with sporadic outbreaks in Asia. A significant epidemic occurred in 2007 on the Pacific island of Yap, where nearly 75% of the population was infected.
It can cause symptoms such as fever, rash, and joint pain, and is particularly concerning for pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects. The virus can also spread through other means such as from a pregnant woman to her fetus, sexual contact, blood transfusions, and possibly organ transplants.
Symptoms Of Zika Virus
Symptoms typically appear 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever (usually less than 101°F), rashes, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), muscle and joint pain, malaise, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. While symptoms are generally mild and short-lived, the virus poses significant risks during pregnancy, potentially leading to severe birth defects like microcephaly.
Effects Of Zika Virus
The Zika virus can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies, potentially causing microcephaly, a condition where the baby is born with a smaller than normal head, leading to developmental issues. It can also lead to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, and Congenital Zika Syndrome, which includes microcephaly, limb contractures, high muscle tone, eye abnormalities, and hearing loss.
Additionally, Zika infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriages and stillbirths. Other possible outcomes include birth defects such as eye problems, hearing loss, and seizures, as well as neuropathy, which causes nerve damage, leading to symptoms such as weakness, numbness, and pain.
To protect against Zika virus infection, several preventive measures are recommended. These include using insect repellent on exposed skin, wearing long sleeves and pants to minimize skin exposure, staying indoors in areas with air conditioning and screened windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out, and using mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors.
