Pune: Another pregnant woman in the Erandwane area has tested positive for the Zika virus, raising the city's total number of Zika cases to six. The Pune Municipal Corporation's health department is conducting surveys of pregnant women and individuals with fever in the affected areas of Erandwane and Mundhwa.

The latest case involves a 16-week pregnant woman from the Ganeshnagar area of Erandwane, who showed no symptoms. The municipal corporation is actively testing pregnant women in the vicinity, sending their blood samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for analysis. Her test results came back positive, following a previous positive case in the same area.

Currently, Pune has reported four Zika cases in the Erandwane area and two in the Kodre Vasti area of Mundhwa. The municipal authorities have initiated preventive measures in both regions, including the collection of blood samples from seven pregnant women in Erandwane for testing. Assistant Health Officer Dr. Rajesh Dighe stated that efforts are also underway to locate and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Genetic Sequencing of the Zika Virus

In response to the rising Zika cases in Pune, the health department held a meeting on Monday attended by Dr. Radhakrishna Pawar, Joint Director of the Health Department, municipal health officials, and NIV scientists. The meeting emphasized the need for genetic sequencing of the Zika virus, which will be conducted by NIV, according to sources.

Increased Risk for Pregnant Women

Zika virus infection can have severe effects on pregnancy, potentially leading to congenital anomalies in newborns. The infection is associated with premature birth and other complications.

If a pregnant woman contracts the Zika virus, it can cause microcephaly in the baby, a condition where the baby's head is smaller than expected. This is associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system attacks the nervous system.

The virus poses a significant risk to the fetus, and pregnant women are advised to avoid areas with Zika outbreaks. Women infected with Zika are also advised to avoid pregnancy for eight weeks after infection.