Pune city has reported a significant surge in Zika virus cases, with three new infections confirmed on Wednesday. This brings the total number of cases in Pune to 24, contributing to Maharashtra’s highest-ever tally of 28 cases this year.
The newly confirmed cases in Pune include a 27-year-old woman from Kothrud, a 49-year-old man from Lohegaon, and a 14-year-old girl from Tulshibaug Colony, Sahakar Nagar. Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, the health officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), provided these details, noting that the infections were confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV).
The woman from Kothrud exhibited symptoms of fever, rash, and joint pain. Her samples, sent to NIV on July 6, returned positive for Zika on July 16. The man from Lohegaon, who has a cardiac condition and recently underwent angioplasty, showed similar symptoms. His samples, sent on July 7, were confirmed positive on Tuesday. The girl experienced fever, rash, and headache, with her samples sent on July 8 and confirmed positive the same day as the man.
Dr. Baliwant also mentioned that 12 more samples, including seven from pregnant women, have been sent to the NIV for testing. The cases in Pune have surged since June 20, with active transmission observed in ten ward offices across the city. Dr. Radhakishan Pawar, joint director of health services, emphasized the rapid spread within a month.
Experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) have noted local transmission in Pune, suggesting the possibility of more cases if testing increases. Unlike other cities such as Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Kerala, where Zika cases were clustered, Pune’s cases are sporadic, indicating the presence of infected mosquitoes across multiple locations.
Maharashtra’s first Zika case was reported in July 2021 in a 50-year-old woman from Belsar village, Pune district. Since then, the state has seen fluctuating numbers: 27 cases in 2021, three in 2022, and 15 in 2023. This year, the count has already reached 28, with the majority from Pune city.
Zika virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, can cause mild symptoms in most people but poses significant risks to pregnant women, including congenital microcephaly and neurological complications.
