The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed three cases of Zika virus, including pregnant women, reported from Gujarat's Ahmedabad. This is the first instance of Zika in the country.
All the cases are from the Bapunagar area of the city.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat, India.WHO
However, the WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restriction to India based on the current information available.
According to a statement released by the Health Ministry, routine surveillance detected a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus disease through RT-PCR test at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
Two pregnant women and a 64-year-old man were detected to have been carrying the virus. The women have reportedly delivered healthy babies.
Both women and their babies are safe. We are keeping a close watch on everything, nothing to worry. Only three Zika virus cases have been detected in around 50,000 tested and no mosquitoes are positive. India strengthened its surveillance system in past few years, so we are able to detect and contain new infections. State health departments are all following standard protocols.Health Ministry
Between 10-16 February in 2016, a total 93 blood samples were collected at BJ Medical College (BJMC) out of which one sample from a 64-year-old male had tested positive for Zika virus.
"This was the first Zika positive case reported through AFI surveillance from Gujarat," the statement said.
The Indian government had sent the details of the patients to the WHO in March after which the global health body's confirmation in these cases came today, a ministry official said.
Meanwhile, a technical group tasked to monitor emerging and re-emerging diseases regularly reviewed the global situation on Zika virus disease.
All the international airports and ports have displayed information for travellers on Zika virus disease while the airport health officers along with airport organisations, the National Centre for Disease Control and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme are monitoring appropriate vector control measures in airport premises.
The risk of further spread of Zika virus to areas where the competent vectors, the Aedes mosquitoes, are present is significant given the wide geographical distribution of these mosquitoes in various regions of the world.
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. People with Zika virus can have symptoms including mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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