Uttar Pradesh reports its first Zika virus case

After IAS officer tests positive for Zika virus, authorities on high-alert and all precautionary measures are being taken

On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh reports its first case of Zika Virus from Kanpur. A 57-year-old Indian Air Force personnel was infected and was  treated at 7 Air Force Hospital in the district.  Chief Medical officer Nepal Singh said that he was running a high fever and his blood samples were sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

Precautionary actions are being taken to secure his residential area and the workplace. “House to house survey, line listing, fogging, cleaning was undertaken with the help of municipality. 22 samples of his close contacts, who were symptomatic were sent to King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow for testing”, said Dr Nepal Singh.

200 samples of those in contact with the patient including his family and those showing similar symptoms have been dispatched to the Pune lab and also isolated at home. The district magistrate, Vishak G said “An emergency meeting of medical college doctors will be held on Monday and civic staff have been directed to launch a fogging exercise with mosquito repellents. The virus does not spread like Covid, its vector-borne like dengue.”

On July 8 the first Zika infection was confirmed in Kerala from a 24-year-old pregnant woman in Trivandrum. Maharashtra reported its first zika case on July 31 when a 50-year-old woman tested positive from Belsar village. This virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes the day and early evening. They breed in small collections of water. Its symptoms are rash, mild fever, joint paint, conjunctivitis, muscle and abdominal pain, headache.