Zika virus cases on the rise in India: Should you be worried?

As monsoon rains drench India, bringing much-needed relief from the summer heat, they also bring an unwelcome guest: the Zika virus.

The continuous downpours have led to waterlogging and damp environments, perfect breeding grounds for this virus-carrying mosquito, known as Aedes.

The Zika virus, which predominantly occurred in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia, and the Western Pacific, first made its presence known in India in 2016 with cases reported in Gujarat. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in various states.

Now, the virus is making headlines again, with recent cases reported from multiple corners of the country. Maharashtra and Kerala have seen double-digit detections, and the virus has now spread to Karnataka.

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But who is most at risk from the Zika virus, and how can you protect yourself? Let’s dive deeper into the details.

The threat

The Zika virus, as highlighted by the US Centre for Disease Control, is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, blood transfusion, sex, and breastfeeding from mothers to their babies. The infection spread by Aedes species mosquitoes also transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes typically bite during the first week of infection.

The World Health Organization warns that the Zika virus is particularly perilous for pregnant women. The infection can be passed to the foetus, leading to severe birth defects like microcephaly, which results in babies being born with smaller heads and underdeveloped brains.

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It can also cause stillbirth, fetal loss, and preterm birth. In adults and older children, Zika virus infection can lead to neurological disorders called the Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which a person’s immune system damages their nerve cells causing muscle weakness and sometimes, paralysis.

Zika virus can also cause neuropathy, and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).

Rising cases in India

Recently, Pune in Maharashtra has seen a surge in Zika virus cases, with around 12 individuals diagnosed, including six pregnant women.

In response, the civic health department convened a meeting with over 50 private hospitals, instructing them to report any suspected Zika virus symptoms. “We have also urged hospitals to display educational posters to raise awareness about preventing Zika and other vector-borne diseases,” Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Chief Medical Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) told The Indian Express.

According to PMC data, 83 samples from pregnant women with suspected Zika virus infection have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology. Other cases have been reported from Sangamner and Kolhapur in Maharashtra.

In Kerala, health authorities reported 14 cases of Zika virus by July 2, including one in a 24-year-old pregnant woman, prompting state-wide alerts.

The situation took a grim turn in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, where a 74-year-old man tested positive for Zika virus and subsequently died. While doctors are still determining if the virus directly caused his death due to his comorbidities, the National Institute of Virology confirmed his infection on June 21, and he had been under treatment since then.

Amid a rise in cases, several private hospitals in Kolkata have also issued an alert for the Zika virus, The Times of India (TOI) reports.

The Centre steps in

As the Zika virus tightened its grip across the country, the central government last week issued advisories to all state and Union Territory (UT) administrations, urging constant vigilance.

The advisory emphasised the need to screen pregnant women and monitor fetal growth in those who test positive. It also called for measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including identifying a nodal officer in health facilities to keep premises free of Aedes mosquitoes.

States were also instructed to strengthen entomological surveillance and intensify vector control activities in residential areas, workplaces, schools, construction sites, institutions, and health facilities.

Additionally, they must promptly report any detected cases to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

What do the symptoms look like?

According to Dr. Nishant Agarwal, head of emergency at Kolkata’s Charnock Hospital, a majority of those infected with the Zika virus show no symptoms, The Times of India reported. For those who do exhibit symptoms, they typically appear 3-14 days after infection and are generally mild, he said.

The US Centre for Disease Control lists the symptoms as:

- Fever
- Rash
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Muscle pain

Despite the similarities to dengue, Zika is considered more dangerous, according to Dr. Ajoy Krishna Sarkar, internal medicine consultant at Peerless Hospital. “In the event of a Zika outbreak, it could be difficult to identify patients. Therefore, we plan to screen all patients with these symptoms,” he told The Times of India.

Treatment of Zika, like dengue, is symptomatic. “There is no drug specific to the virus. Patients need paracetamol to control fever and painkillers. As in dengue, parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and functioning of the vital organs need to be monitored,” Dr Saha explained to the newspaper.

How to stay safe?

While the rise in Zika cases is certainly cause for concern, particularly for pregnant women, there are several ways to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Staying informed and following public health guidelines are key to protecting yourself.

Here are some recommended measures:

- Keep doors and windows closed, especially in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.
- Wear full-sleeved clothes, particularly when going outdoors, and apply mosquito/insect repellents.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds around homes, schools, and hospitals by clearing standing water in flower pots, plants, and containers.
- Avoid outside food and consume fresh homemade meals.
- Ensure your home and indoor spaces are well-ventilated.
- Avoid touching your nose and mouth, especially after being outside.
- Steer clear of crowded places if you have a weak immune system.
- Maintain basic hygiene and wash your hands frequently.
- Use condoms during sex to prevent the spread of the virus.

With input from agencies