Six Zika Virus Infection Cases in Pune; Two Patients Are Pregnant Women

Health officials in Pune city have reported six cases of Zika virus infection, including two pregnant women, according to statements released on Monday.

One of the cases involves a 28-year-old pregnant woman from Erandwane, whose positive test results came in on Friday. Another woman, 12 weeks pregnant, tested positive on Monday. Both women are reportedly in good condition without any symptoms, officials noted.

The first case was identified in Erandwane when a 46-year-old doctor’s test returned positive. Subsequently, his 15-year-old daughter also tested positive. Additional cases involve a 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man from Mundhwa, officials confirmed.

Zika virus, transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, can lead to microcephaly in infants if contracted during pregnancy. The virus was initially identified in Uganda in 1947 and is associated with diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

To mitigate the spread, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s health department has intensified surveillance efforts, including fogging and fumigation to control mosquito breeding, as precautionary measures.