Pune has seen a rapid increase in Zika virus cases, with the total reaching 32 within a month. The municipal health department is on high alert as new cases continue to emerge.

Four new cases were diagnosed on July 20, including residents from Yerawada, Wadgaon Budruk, Prabhat Road, and Law College Road.

Among the newly infected are a 26-year-old man with fever, red rashes, and joint pain, a 33-year-old woman with fever, and two elderly men, aged 70 and 76, both with fever and headache. All cases were confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

Since the first case was detected on June 20, the number of infected individuals has risen sharply. The outbreak has particularly affected pregnant women, with 11 testing positive.

Among them, eight have been pregnant for over 18 weeks. Out of the 27 Zika patients, 23 were treated in OPD, and four were hospitalized. One patient has been discharged, while three remain admitted. There are 3,497 expectant mothers in the hospital system, with 286 in outbreak-affected areas.

Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation said, "Surveys have covered a population of 124,000 people, including 71,000 in outbreak areas. Measures include spraying for mosquitoes and larval surveys. Residents are urged to prevent mosquito breeding in their areas."

Zika is an Aedes mosquito borne viral disease like Dengue and Chikungunya. It is a non-fatal disease. However, Zika is associated with microcephaly (reduced head size) of babies born to affected pregnant women which makes it a major concern.

India reported first Zika case from Gujarat State in 2016. Since then, many other States namely Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Karnataka have reported cases subsequently.