Pune is experiencing a continuous rise in Zika virus cases, with pregnant women being the most severely affected. Health officials have confirmed that all nine patients detected with the Zika virus in Pune are currently stable.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its efforts to combat the outbreak, collecting fines totaling Rs 1.8 lakh from societies and construction sites where mosquito breeding spots were identified. The total number of Zika virus cases in Pune has now reached 18, including ten pregnant women.
Recent reports from Hindustan Times revealed that new cases were detected in two pregnant women from Kharadi – a 32-year-old and a 25-year-old. Both women underwent anomaly scans, which showed normal results.
Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, PMC’s health officer, stated, “Following the first case reported on June 20, surveillance and containment activities have been initiated in active Zika transmission areas.” According to Indian Express, health officials have sent 129 samples of pregnant women to the ICMR-National Institute of Virology for testing.
In response to the rising cases, the Health Ministry has issued an advisory urging states to be vigilant, screen pregnant women, enhance entomological surveillance, and intensify vector-control activities. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also advised states to increase testing for Zika and to test patients with chikungunya and dengue-like symptoms for Zika if they test negative for those infections.
On Saturday, the PMC identified three more pregnant women with Zika virus infections, bringing the total number of infected pregnant women to five and the city’s overall case count to 12. Dr. Rajesh Dighe, assistant chief medical officer of PMC, stated, “We have stepped up our surveillance activities. Samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology as part of screening pregnant women from areas where Zika cases were detected. Overall, 68 samples from pregnant women have been sent to the apex laboratory.”
The civic health department has imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on a builder in Mundhwa after discovering a mosquito breeding site in a duct. One of the newly infected patients, a 33-year-old woman in her eighth week of pregnancy, lives in this society. Although asymptomatic, she has been advised to undergo a nuchal translucency (NT) scan to check for potential congenital conditions.
Another two cases were detected in a 27-year-old woman from Ambegaon Bk, Sinhagad Road, and a 28-year-old woman from Pashan/Aundh. The 28-year-old, who experienced fever and rash, was admitted to a private hospital, while the Ambegaon patient had symptoms like headache.
Given the association of Zika with microcephaly and neurological consequences in fetuses, health officials have urged close monitoring of pregnant women. Citizens are also advised to empty water containers, air coolers, and eliminate any potential mosquito breeding sites within their homes.
In total, fines amounting to Rs 84,800 have been collected from societies and construction sites where mosquito breeding sites were found. Additionally, 92 notices have been issued against defaulters, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to control the Zika virus spread in Pune.
Referance: Times of India
