Lagatar24 Desk
Pune: A team from the ICMR National Institute of Virology has detected the Zika virus in mosquito pools and larvae samples collected from various parts of Pune, including Pashan, Erandwane, and Mundhwa. This discovery comes as the number of Zika virus cases in the city continues to rise.
“The virus has been detected in a mosquito pool and larvae samples collected from areas like Pashan, Erandwane, and Mundhwa. As a preventive measure, we have asked authorities to contain the breeding of mosquitoes within a five-kilometre radius of the affected area,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan Pawar, Joint Director of Health Services, in a statement to the Hindustan Times.
The Zika virus outbreak in Pune began on June 20, with 49 cases reported so far, including three additional cases in the rural areas of Pune. Approximately 203 mosquito samples and 1,094 larvae samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing. Zika virus was detected in samples from Erandwane, Pashan, and most recently, Mundhwa.
On July 31, two new cases of Zika virus were reported in Pune. One case involved a 27-year-old pregnant woman from Manikbaug, Sinhagad Road, who exhibited symptoms such as fever and rashes. She tested positive for the virus and is currently 21 weeks pregnant. The second case was a 78-year-old man from Baner, who is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital, according to Dr. Nina Borade, Health Chief of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
In response to the outbreak, the PMC sent samples from 20 suspected patients for testing, including 17 pregnant women. To date, the PMC has sent 448 samples to the National Institute of Virology, including 395 samples from expectant mothers. Following the increase in cases, state health officials and PMC health officials held a meeting on July 31 to discuss containment strategies.
“We have asked the department to remain on alert following the Zika virus detection in mosquitoes in Pune city. During the meeting, strategies to address the situation and containment measures were discussed,” said Dr. S S Anuse, an entomologist at the Public Health Department.
With the India Meteorological Department predicting more rain for Pune and other districts in the coming days, efforts to control the mosquito population and prevent further spread of the virus are in full swing. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites and maintaining vigilant monitoring to protect public health.
