Pune: The Zika virus threat in Pune is escalating, with two more pregnant women confirmed to be infected on Thursday (July 11). This development raises the total number of Zika cases in the city to 18, with 10 of these being pregnant women.

Given the heightened risk Zika poses to pregnant women, the health department has intensified its focus on screening pregnant women in affected areas.

In the Kharadi area, two pregnant women aged 32 and 25 have contracted the Zika virus. One woman is 22 weeks pregnant, and the other is 18 weeks pregnant. Both have received positive anomaly scan reports and are currently asymptomatic.

Previously, one Zika case was detected in Kharadi, prompting the health department to send samples from eight pregnant women in the area for testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV). The health department received confirmation of Zika infections in two of these women on Thursday.

The city has recorded a total of 18 Zika cases to date. Erandwane is the most affected area with six cases, followed by Pashan and Kharadi with three cases each.

Mundhwa has reported two cases, while Dahanukar Colony, Ujvi Bhusari Colony, Ambegaon Budruk, and Kallas each have one case. In response, the health department is actively implementing preventive measures in these areas, including the identification and destruction of mosquito breeding sites.

Notices have been issued to 333 homeowners for maintaining mosquito breeding sites, resulting in fines totaling 188,600 rupees.

The Zika virus has also made inroads into rural areas. A 65-year-old man in Saswad has tested positive for the virus. He began experiencing symptoms on June 24 and was initially treated at a local hospital before being transferred to a private hospital in Pune.

His blood sample was sent to NIV for testing on July 2, with the positive result confirmed on July 3. The patient had traveled to Miraj last month, and no symptoms have been observed in his family members.