WHO confirms 3 Zika virus cases in Ahmedabad

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first three cases of Zika virus in India. In its latest disease outbreak news dated May 26, the WHO confirmed all three cases from Ahmedabad, including a pregnant lady tested this January. A routine surveillance detected a laboratoryconfirmed case of Zika virus through RT-PCR test at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad. SOHINI DAS & VINAY UMARJI report

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the first three cases of Zika virus in India. In its latest disease outbreak news dated May 26, the WHO confirmed all the three cases from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, including a pregnant lady tested this January.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had tested 34,233 human samples and 12,647 mosquito samples for Zika virus. Among those, close to 500 mosquitoes samples were collected from Bapunagar, Ahmedabad.

A routine surveillance detected a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus through RT-PCR test at B J Medical College, Ahmedabad. Two additional cases had been identified through the Acute Febrile Illness and the Antenatal clinic surveillance.

The WHO note said a 34year-old female delivered a clinically well baby at the BJMC on November 9, 2016. After the delivery, she developed a low-grade fever. A sample from the patient was referred to the Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at the BJMC for dengue testing and thereafter found to be positive for Zika virus. She was discharged after a week (on November 16, 2016).