Zika virus: First case in Karnataka, 5-year-old girl tests positive
Zika virus has been reported for the first time in Karnataka. A five-year-old girl from Raichur has been confirmed to be infected with the virus. Health Minister Sudhakar said that the government is taking all precautionary measures and monitoring the situation.
Zika virus has been reported for the first time in Karnataka. A five-year-old girl from Raichur district has tested positive for the Zika virus, Health Minister K Sudhakar said. He said that the government is taking all precautionary measures.
According to a Pune laboratory report, a 5-year-old girl in Raichur, Karnataka has tested positive for Zika virus and has been advised to take precautionary measures.
Minister Sudhakar says, “This is the first case in the state and the government is monitoring the situation very closely. Our department is ready to handle it.
“Laboratory report received from Pune regarding Zika virus outbreak. On December 5, it was processed and announced on December 8. Three samples were sent, two negative and one positive, which was from a five-year-old girl. We are vigilant,” Sudhakar said when asked about the Zika virus case in Raichur.
Zika virus in India
Speaking to reporters, he pointed out that some months ago cases of Zika virus were detected in Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
“This is the first confirmed case in Karnataka. Dengue and chikungunya were detected when the serum was tested. Usually 10 per cent of such samples are sent to Pune for testing, out of which it has come positive,” the minister said.
He further said that the government is on alert and the vigilance (health department) officials in Raichur and neighboring districts have been given necessary instructions to send samples for Zika virus testing if any suspected infection cases are detected in any hospitals.
What is Zika virus?
Zika virus disease is transmitted by the infected Aedes mosquito, which transmits diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day, peaking in the early morning and late afternoon or evening.
For most people, Zika virus infection is not a serious problem. But it is very dangerous among pregnant women, especially for fetuses. The infection can cause microcephaly (a brain-damaging condition) or other conditions called congenital Zika syndrome.
Further, the minister said that no new cases of Zika virus have been detected in the state so far and there is no need to worry and the government is monitoring the situation cautiously.
