22 Zika Virus cases detected in Jaipur, here's all you need to know about the deadly diseases

There is a wave of panic in Rajasthan after a total of 22 cases of Zika virus have been reported in Jaipur city on Monday evening. After the epidemic was detected in the city, Union Health Ministry had issued a statement on Monday, specifying that the situation is being analysed on a regular basis by the secretary of Health. Furthermore, all the suspected cases along with the mosquito samples in the defined area have also been tested by the health ministry.

The government has also issued appropriate material to prevent Zika Virus from spreading and creating awareness of its consequences in the state. Union Health Ministry continues to observe the existence of the virus in the country.

Apparently, this is not the first outbreak of the Zika virus that has been reported in India. In fact, an 85-year-old woman was tested positive for Zika virus in Jaipur in September 2018 after which she was given appropriate medical treatment. Rajasthan doctors believed it to be one of the first Zika cases in the state. Similarly, Zika cases have also been detected in other states of India including Ahmedabad in January 2017 and in Tamil Nadu in July 2017.

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What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is mainly transmitted by the ‘Aedes’ mosquitoes, that carries dengue. While it was first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947, the first human case was detected in Nigeria in 1954 with reports of outbreaks in Africa, South East Asia and Pacific Islands.

However, most people infected with the virus don’t show any serious symptoms, there are mild indications of fever, joint pain, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle weakness, and headache in people. Zika virus can most importantly, affect pregnant women, causing birth defects such as microcephaly (unusually small heads) and other brain abnormalities in babies within the womb. The infection can also cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes paralysis. Reportedly, there is no treatment or vaccine for the Zika infection, yet.

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