Zika virus is spreading tentacles in Pune, 26 pregnant women among 66 patients

Pune: The number of patients affected by the zika virus has reached 66 in the city. As many as four patients have died due to the infectious disease.

A committee appointed by the Public Health Department will study the four deaths. It will throw light on the exact reasons behind the deaths. The risk of the disease has grown in the rainy season due to accumulated water and unhygienic conditions.

Among the 66 patients, there are 26 pregnant women. Children, pregnant women and elderly people run the risk of the infection. The Health Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will examine all zika virus patients and those who have come in contact with them. The Health Department is taking preventative measures to check the spread of the virus.

According to the details, a 19-year-old pregnant woman contracted the virus in Bavdhan. The number of zika virus-affected patients has gone up to 66, said civic officials on Monday. The 19-year-old pregnant woman tested positive as per her blood sample report received from the National Institute of Virology (NIV). Her blood samples were sent to the NIV on August 3. Assistant Health officer Dr Suryakant Devkar said that she has completed 22 weeks of her pregnancy.

Eight cases of the disease were reported from Saturday (August 3) to Monday (August 5). They include six pregnant women, a 40-year-old man in Katraj and an 18-year-old boy from Kondhwa. Of the six pregnant women, positive blood tests of five have been received. They include a 33-year-old woman from Dhanori, a 23-year-old woman from Kharadi, a 22-year-old woman from Shivajinagar and three 21-year-old women. Blood samples of two more pregnant women from Pashan were sent to the NIV on Monday.

PMC Health Officer Dr Nina Borate said, “As many as 73 zika virus-affected patients were found in the district from June 20 till date. They include five from rural areas of the district, two from Pimpri-Chinchwad and 66 from the city. Moreover, four suspected deaths have also been reported in the city.”

The disease is caused due to a bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also causes dengue and chikungunya. The symptoms include fever, body ache and joint pain. An affected pregnant woman may give birth to a child with microcephaly and other neurological complications.