Zika Virus Case in Gandhinagar: 70-Year-Old Patient Recovers
In Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a 70-year-old patient infected with the Zika virus has been discharged after successful treatment. Additional Director of Public Health, Nilam Patel, shared that the patient was initially admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad with symptoms like fever and joint pain. A sample sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune confirmed the Zika infection.
Patel explained that the positive case was reported in late October, and the patient was discharged on October 27 after his health improved. The patient, a local resident with no recent travel history, was confirmed to have been infected locally.
Between October 29 and November 3, health teams conducted surveillance in over 72 locations, finding no new suspected cases. Zika virus, primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, can also be transmitted through pregnancy, sexual contact, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation. While generally mild, it can cause serious issues during pregnancy, such as microcephaly in infants.
India’s first Zika case was reported in Gujarat in 2016, with subsequent cases in various states including Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
Doubts Revealed
Zika Virus -: Zika Virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes. It can cause fever, joint pain, and sometimes serious problems for pregnant women and their babies.
Gandhinagar -: Gandhinagar is the capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located in the western part of India.
National Institute of Virology -: The National Institute of Virology is a research institute in Pune, India. It studies viruses and helps confirm infections like the Zika virus.
Nilam Patel -: Nilam Patel is a health official involved in managing the Zika virus case in Gandhinagar. Health officials help keep people safe from diseases.
Surveillance -: Surveillance in this context means closely watching and checking for new cases of the Zika virus in different places to prevent its spread.
Pregnancy complications -: Pregnancy complications are problems that can happen during pregnancy. Zika virus can cause serious issues for pregnant women and their babies, like birth defects.