At least 89 cases of Zika virus including 17 children have been confirmed in the city of Kanpur in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
According to the report, Zika virus has been reported in other Indian states, but for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, it is spreading so fast, the first case of the virus in this state was reported on October 23.
Health officials have been asked to go door-to-door to collect samples for surveillance and testing. Doctors in this regard said that the main concern is for pregnant women and their babies who are born with ‘micro syphilis’, due to which the brain cannot develop fully and remains incomplete.
According to the report, the symptoms of this disease are not serious. It looks like a common cold. The virus, called Zika, is transmitted to the body by the bite of an Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquito also spreads dengue fever and chikungunya.
The most serious consequences of this disease are paralysis. According to the BBC, the Zika virus originated in Africa and the first news of its spread came from Brazil in May 2015.
What is Zika virus?
Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that spreads through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito, which bites during the day.
Signs and symptoms of Zika Virus
* Mild fever
* Rash
* Conjunctivitis
* Muscle and joint pain
* Malaise or headache.
How to prevent the Zika viral infection?
The virus infection can only be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. Special attention should be given to prevent mosquito bites among pregnant women, women of reproductive age, and young children, advises WHO.
