Amid COVID-19, Kerala reports first case of Zika virus

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage in Kerala, state Health Minister Veena George on Thursday (July 8) said that Zika virus cases have been detected in the state. A 24-year-old pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the mosquito-transmitted disease. Zika virus can create complications for pregnant women.

"This is the first time that Zika virus has been reported in Kerala... a 24-year-old pregnant woman reported at a hospital in the state capital district with fever, headache and rashes last month. The first results showed a mild positive sign of Zika virus and later from 19 samples tested, 13 also showed Zika positive. All the samples have now been sent to NIV Pune," she said.

"The Health Department and the district authorities are seized of the issue and have taken measures by collecting samples of the Aedes species mosquitoes, which transmits it to people through its bite. All the districts have been alerted about this and measures have started," George added.

Samples of 13 persons, suspected to be positive for Zika virus, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

The symptoms of Zika virus include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.

(With IANS inputs)