Rising Zika virus cases in Maharashtra: Health Ministry issues advisory to all states

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday issued an advisory to states in view of the rising number of Zika virus cases in Maharashtra. 

On Tuesday, a 55-year-old woman was detected with Zika virus in Pune, taking the number of cases to eight in the state.

"As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the foetus of the affected pregnant lady, States have been advised to alert the clinicians for close monitoring. States are urged to instruct the health facilities in the affected areas or those catering cases from affected areas to screen pregnant women for Zika virus infection, monitor the growth of the fetus of expecting mothers who have tested positive for Zika and act as per Central Government Guidelines....," it says in a press statement. 

Zika virus in pregnant women may cause microcephaly (a condition in which the head is significantly smaller due to abnormal brain development) in the foetus.

The first case of Zika virus was reported at Erandwane, where a 46-year-old doctor's report came back positive. His 15-year-old daughter also tested positive for the infection, officials said.

Zika virus gets transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya.

The virus was first detected in the country in 2016. Later, cases were reported in several states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.