Zika virus cases in Jaipur (Rajasthan) increases to 51

In Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur, the number of Zika virus infected patients has risen to 51, including 11 pregnant women.

Sources at Union Health ministry said that three students from Rajput Hostel, near Sindhi Camp, were tested positive. Earlier samples of mosquitoes were collected from Sindhi Camp area in which Zika virus was found. Virus was also found in the mosquito samples collected from Shashtri Nagar area of Jaipur city.

The first case of Zika in Jaipur was emerged on September 22, following that health ministry put district administration on high alert. A person from Bihar, who has recently visited his hometown Siwan, is also among the ones infected. Bihar also issued advisories to all its districts.

After a meeting on Friday, administration also issued an advisory for pregnant women to not visit densely populated Shastri Nagar area.

The first case was of Zika virus in India was reported from Ahmedabad in January 2017.

Zika virus is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.

Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache, typically lasting for 2–7 days. Most infected people do not develop symptoms.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage.

An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis.