Zika Virus In Uttar Pradesh: Kanpur Reports 30 Fresh Cases, Total Count Touches 66

As many as 25 people, including six Indian Air Force personnel tested positive for Zika virus in the district on Wednesday

An employee examines tube with the label 'Zika virus' at Genekam Biotechnology AG in Duisburg (File Photo)

New Delhi: A total 30 fresh cases of Zika Virus were reported in Kanpur as many as on Thursday, taking the total count for Zika Virus in the city to 66.  "30 more people have tested positive for Zika virus in Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh. With this, the total tally has gone up to 66," said Chief Medical Officer Dr Nepal Singh, according to news agency ANI.

The first case of the Zika virus came to the fore in Kanpur on October 25. Later, the central government sent a multi-disciplinary team to Kanpur. On the other hand as many as 25 people, including six Indian Air Force personnel, on Wednesday tested positive for Zika virus in the districtm according to the agency.

District Magistrate Vishak G said among the fresh cases, 14 are women. Six IAF personnel have also contracted the infection, Vishak G added. On elaborating about the samples, the DM said the health department had collected blood samples of 586 people on Sunday and have been sent to the Lucknow’s KGMU for testing. Of which, 25 samples tested positive.

The diease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It usually bites during the day and the symptoms of this disease include mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache. It is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. Later it was identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. 

To check the spread of the disease and track its source, health teams have been pressed to undertake sanitisation programmes, including anti-larvae spraying, identification of fever patients, screening of seriously ill people and pregnant women.