Zika Virus: 1st case reported in this state; 13 others suspected - Know symptoms of disease

Kerala has reported the first case of Zika virus where a 24-year-old pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the mosquito-transmitted disease. The information was provided by State Health Minister Veena George on Thursday.

As per a PTI report, there are 13 other suspected cases of the virus from Thiruvananthapuram, the minister said adding that the government was awaiting confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune.

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Of the 19 samples sent from Thiruvananthapuram, 13 health workers, including doctors, are suspected to be positive for Zika, the minister said.

The woman, hailing from Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here, delivered her baby on July7. She had been admitted to the hospital on June 28 with fever, headache and red marks on her body.

The tests conducted at the hospital confirmed that she was positive following which her samples were sent to NIV, Pune. The condition of the woman was satisfactory. She does not have any travel history outside the state, her house is on the Tamil Nadu border, as per a PTI report.

"The District Surveillance Team, District Vector Control Unit and State Entomology Team visited the affected area of Parassala and initiated control measures. Steps have been taken to send samples of Aedes mosquitoes collected from the affected area and nearby areas for PCR testing. Preventive activities in the area will be strengthened. An alert had been issued to all districts," ANI quoted the Health Minister.

The symptoms of Zika are similar to dengue including fever, skin rashes and joint pain, as per a PTI report.