A little over 500 kms from Ahmedabad, where the country's first three Zika virus cases were reported, Mumbai doctors say the residents need to be cautious as Zika, swine flu and chikungunya all have similar symptoms. Maharashtra government remains on the guard as well.
"Since the outbreak took place in Gujarat, we will have to be vigilant. We have issued directions to our officers as well as the general public that whenever there face Zika-like symptoms, they must immediately consult the doctor," said Dr Vijay Satbir Singh, additional chief secretary (health), Maharashtra. "Since it is a viral disease there are no specific medicines, but paracetamol is normally prescribed. We have adequate stocks," Dr Singh added.
Primarily spread through female anopheles mosquito, Zika can also spread sexually.
The civic body said they had circulated an advisory among the doctors and hospitals and the mosquito prevention drives for dengue to target Zika as well. "In addition, we are asking pregnant women to not ignore any signs of fever," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
"While Zika cases rarely reach a critical level and the disease is normally self-limiting, it is very dangerous for pregnant women. Zika is linked to microcephaly in which a baby is born with an abnormally small brain," said Dr Ajit Baviskar, consultant for critical care and emergency medicine at Global Hospital.
"The symptoms are the same as dengue, chikungunya and swine flu. This is the reason that patients should not ignore such symptoms and see a doctor immediately," Dr Baviskar added.
In 2015-16 the Zika epidemic that broke out in Brazil spread to several countries in South and North America, island nations in the Pacific as well as South East Asia.
"There is a low probability of disease in the country. But people still need to be careful in areas where there are mosquitos," said Dr Om Srivastava, infectious disease expert.
About Zika
Spread
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It is the same species that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever
Symptoms
People with Zika virus can have symptoms like mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days
Linked complications
There is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly in which a baby is born with unusually small head and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition that attacks the peripheral nervous system. Links to other neurological complications are also being investigated
Source: WHO
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Zika")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}