A 70-year-old man in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, tested positive for the Zika virus, becoming one of the recent cases reported in India. Here’s a summary of the situation:
- Patient Background: The man from Gandhinagar displayed symptoms such as cold, fever, and joint pain and was admitted to a local hospital on October 24. He was later referred to a private hospital in Ahmedabad due to suspicion of a Zika infection.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Doctors sent his samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, which confirmed Zika virus infection nearly four days ago. The patient had already recovered and was discharged a week prior.
- Transmission and Symptoms: Zika virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causes symptoms like rash, fever, conjunctivitis, and muscle and joint pain. In pregnant women, it poses serious risks, including congenital malformations like microcephaly in newborns.
- No Recent Travel: The patient had not traveled abroad, indicating that the infection was likely contracted locally.
- Health Department Response: Health authorities conducted surveillance in the patient’s area and tested his family members, all of whom showed no symptoms and tested negative for the virus.
This case highlights the ongoing vigilance needed for Zika, given its potential health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women.
