The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reported nine new Zika virus cases, raising the total number of infections in the district to 48. Among the newly confirmed cases is a 25-year-old pregnant woman from Shivane, whose symptoms include fever, body aches, and headaches. Her samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on July 22 for confirmation.

The other new cases include a 74-year-old woman from Erandwane, a 54-year-old woman from Law College Road, a 35-year-old woman from Kondhwa, a 46-year-old man from Koregaon Park, a 28-year-old woman from Wagholi, and a 29-year-old woman from Fatima Nagar.

Since June 20, the Pune district has seen a steady increase in Zika virus infections, with 48 cases reported, including 14 pregnant women. Of these, 44 cases are within the PMC limits, while three cases are from the rural areas of Pune (one each from Bhugaon, Saswad, and Wagholi), and one case is from the Pune Cantonment area.

The PMC continues to monitor and manage the outbreak, urging residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, which are the primary mode of transmission for the Zika virus. Public health officials are particularly concerned about the virus's potential impact on pregnant women, as Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Zika virus is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. It can also be spread through sex from a person who is infected with the Zika virus to their sexual partner(s). Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant person to their fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.

Signs And Symptoms Of Zika Virus

As per health experts, many people infected with the Zika virus may not have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease (Zika) are:

- Fever

- Rash

- Headache

- Joint pain

- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)

- Muscle pain

Zika symptoms usually last for several days to a week.

Can Zika Virus Cause Complications In Pregnancy?

As per CDC, Zika virus infection is generally mild, with hospitalization and death being uncommon. However, when contracted during pregnancy, Zika can lead to serious birth defects and other complications.

In rare instances, Zika infection can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a condition where the immune system attacks nerve cells, resulting in muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. While these symptoms can persist for weeks or months, most people recover fully, though some may experience permanent damage. Fatalities due to GBS from Zika are extremely rare.

Zika may occasionally lead to severe neurological conditions, such as encephalitis (swelling of the brain), meningitis (swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain), or myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). The virus can also cause a blood disorder characterized by bleeding, bruising, or slow blood clotting. Despite these potential complications, such severe outcomes are rare.