Zika virus cases are increasing in Maharashtra. In view of this, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to the states on Wednesday. States have been advised to focus on testing for Zika virus in pregnant women. Let us tell you that the first case of Zika in India was reported from Gujarat in 2016.
In view of the increasing cases of Zika virus in Maharashtra, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday issued an advisory to the states. It also urged the states to maintain continuous surveillance by testing pregnant women for the virus.
States have also been advised to maintain continued surveillance by screening for infection in pregnant women and monitoring foetal development of pregnant women who test positive for Zika.
Zika is an Aedes mosquito-borne viral disease like dengue and chikungunya. However, babies born to pregnant women affected by Zika have microcephaly (reduced head size), which has become a major concern.
The first Zika case in India was reported from Gujarat in 2016. Since then, cases have been reported in several other states, including Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka.
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