Zika Alert:Â Two Pregnant Women Test Positive In Pune
Zika Virus Threatens Pune: 26 Pregnant Women Among 66 Infected Amid Monsoon Season
Two pregnant women from Pune have tested positive for the Zika virus this week. A 27-year-old woman from Wanowrie and a 25-year-old expectant mother from Shivane received their diagnoses on July 26 and July 29 respectively .
The Wanowrie woman, who is three and a half months pregnant, had been experiencing fever and rashes. Her test results came positive as confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV). Fortunately, an ultrasound called the Nuchal Translucency (NT) test, which checks for potential hereditary conditions in the baby, came back normal. This test is known for its accuracy when used alongside other early pregnancy screenings, so there is hope that her baby’s health may remain unaffected by the Zika infection.
In the Pune district, there have been 50 confirmed cases of Zika virus, including 16 among pregnant women. Tragically, two suspected deaths have been linked to the virus. The first reported case of Zika virus in the city was in Erandwane, where a 46-year-old doctor tested positive.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reports that the highest number of cases have been in Erandwane (11), followed by Dahanukar Colony (9), and Kharadi (5). Other affected areas include Mundhwa-Hadapsar, Sukhsagarnagar, and Pashan, each with four cases, and Ambegaon Budruk, Yerawada, and Ghole Road with two cases each. Lohegaon, Dhankawadi, and Dhole-Patil Road have each reported one case.
To tackle the outbreak, the civic body has inspected over 55,000 homes and found mosquito breeding spots in 1,382 locations. Nearly 500 pregnant women out of 4,210 registered with local hospitals have been screened.
