When the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has become much slower in Kerala, a new virus infection has detected in Kerala. This is a mosquito-borne viral infection named Zika virus. On Thursday, the first case was confirmed in a 24-year-old pregnant woman in Thiruvananthapuram.
However, the woman’s condition is stable who has given birth to a child on June 7. On June 28, she started showing symptoms and was admitted to a hospital. When tests for other viral infections returned negative, the doctors recommended a Zika virus test.
In addition to this, 13 others have been suspected to have contracted the virus. Samples have sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The Kerala government is waiting for confirmation from the NIV.
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What is Zika Virus?
Zika is termed as a mosquito-borne virus infection that generally spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito named Aedes aegypti. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day, peaking during early morning and late afternoon or evening. It is quite the same as transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
However, the Zika virus is not a serious issue for the majority of people but can be severe among pregnant women. This infection might cause microcephaly (a brain disability condition) or other conditions called congenital Zika syndrome.Â
As per the WHO, “Zika virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse. This is of concern due to an association between Zika virus infection and adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes.”
