Thiruvanathapuram: Even as the nation is battling against the novel coronavirus pandemic since last year, Kerala has reported its first case of Zika virus disease, a mosquito-borne disease.
Thiruvanathapuram: Even as the nation is battling against the novel coronavirus pandemic since last year, Kerala has reported its first case of Zika virus disease, a mosquito-borne disease.
The Zika virus disease is mostly transmitted through mosquitos and symptoms are generally mild, lasting for two to seven days, most patients could be asymptomatic, according to WHO.
According to the State Health Minister's statement, the infected patient, a 24-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on June 28 with symptoms of fever, headache and red rashes. Following signs of Zika virus infection, blood samples were sent also sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and confirmed the infection. The infected woman is stable and delivered her baby safely.
Thirteen samples of persons suspected to show symptoms of the disease, including the mother of the pregnant woman have been sent for testing to the NIV, Pune. Of the total of 19 samples sent from various centres in Thiruvananthapuram, 13 of these are suspected to be positive for the virus. However there is no confirmation from NIV Pune on this, the Minister added.
The Zika virus infection is caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV), which is a mosquito-borne human flavivirus. It transmits through mainly Aedes mosquitoes also known to transmit transmits chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever.
The Zika virus disease is mostly transmitted through mosquitos and symptoms are generally mild, lasting for two to seven days, most patients could be asymptomatic, according to WHO.
According to the State Health Minister's statement, the infected patient, a 24-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on June 28 with symptoms of fever, headache and red rashes. Following signs of Zika virus infection, blood samples were sent also sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and confirmed the infection. The infected woman is stable and delivered her baby safely.
Thirteen samples of persons suspected to show symptoms of the disease, including the mother of the pregnant woman have been sent for testing to the NIV, Pune. Of the total of 19 samples sent from various centres in Thiruvananthapuram, 13 of these are suspected to be positive for the virus. However there is no confirmation from NIV Pune on this, the Minister added.
The Zika virus infection is caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV), which is a mosquito-borne human flavivirus. It transmits through mainly Aedes mosquitoes also known to transmit transmits chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever.