Pune: A 61-year-old man from Hadapsar, Pune, developed severe symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Despite initial treatments, his condition worsened, leading to complications and his admission to the ICU, where he fell into a coma.
Doctors initiated an investigation to diagnose the exact illness, discovering that the patient was suffering from Zika-induced encephalitis (Zika meningoencephalitis). Due to the dedicated efforts of the medical team, the patient has emerged from the coma and is now showing signs of recovery.
This case indicates that Zika virus infections can result in serious brain-related illnesses, including encephalitis. Experts suggest that this could be the first documented instance in India. Zika-induced encephalitis is considered rare, with prior cases mainly reported in Brazil and the United States.
The patient's symptoms began on July 1st, leading to his admission to Nobel Hospital in Hadapsar on July 3rd when his fever persisted. His age and existing health conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, exacerbated his situation.
Placed in the ICU and treated with a ventilator, doctors suspected Zika and sent blood samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV). The patient slipped into a coma the same day the samples were sent.
NIV confirmed the Zika infection, and further tests showed the disease's impact on the brain and kidneys. Spinal fluid tests corroborated the diagnosis.
Intensive care director Dr. Z. A. Khan reported, "The patient received steroids and ventilator support. After a week in the ICU, he came out of the coma and is now improving."
The medical team included Dr. Balasaheb Bande, neurologist Dr. Paras Borse, physician Dr. Aparna Kodre, Dr. Dilip Mane, and infectious disease expert Dr. Amit Dravid.
With the increasing incidence of dengue and Zika cases, preventive measures are crucial. Dr. Amit Dravid emphasized the importance of testing for symptomatic individuals, particularly pregnant women, while investigating whether the patient's pre-existing conditions played a role in his critical state.
