Pune Reports Nine Zika Virus Cases, Three in Pregnant WomenPune Reports Nine Zika Virus Cases, Three in Pregnant Women Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) has confirmed three new cases of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, bringing the total number of cases in the city to nine. Six cases were previously reported by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer at PMC, confirmed the new cases, stating that they are all related to pregnant women from different areas of Pune. Health Officer Dr. Kalpana Baliwant announced increased surveillance efforts in the affected areas and a meeting scheduled for Monday to discuss further measures. She also highlighted the importance of monitoring Zika virus in rural Pune, where one case has been detected. PMC is facing challenges in collecting samples due to lack of cooperation from residents. Despite awareness programs, people are hesitant to provide samples, and children in slum areas have even attacked fogging teams. Additionally, staff shortages hinder sample collection efforts. Another challenge is controlling indoor breeding of mosquitoes, especially with Pune’s large population and the presence of slums with open dustbins and rubbish. The report concludes by noting that PMC continues to conduct awareness programs to break the chain of transmission of the virus.
Three new cases of Zika virus infection, all in pregnant women, have been reported in Pune, taking the total to nine, officials at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) said on Saturday. Earlier, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had reported six cases of Zika virus.
Dr Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer, PMC, confirmed, “Three more cases have been confirmed, all related to pregnant women. One patient is from Pashan, another from Mundhwa and the third case is from Ambeogaon Budruk.” The infection has now spread beyond Pune city to rural areas too, he added.
Dr Kalpana Baliwant, Health Officer, PMC, said, “We have intensified surveillance in the affected areas and are scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday. One case has been detected in rural Pune, prompting us to alert the district health officer and intensify monitoring of Zika virus and sample collection.”
Meanwhile, PMC is facing challenges in collecting samples. Dighe explains, “Our biggest challenge is the lack of cooperation from residents in the affected areas. Despite conducting awareness programmes on Zika virus infections, people are reluctant to provide samples to the civic body. In some cases, children in slums have even thrown stones at our fogging teams. In urban areas, residents are reluctant to come forward for testing and samples. Moreover, we are short-staffed, which hampers sample collection efforts, especially as the city boundaries have expanded by merging with villages.”
“Another challenge is controlling indoor breeding,” Dighe added, “with a population of over 4.5 million. Slum dwellers tend to keep dustbins open and collect rubbish, creating potential breeding grounds. We continue to conduct awareness programmes to break the chain of transmission.”
Published: Saturday, July 6, 2024, 3:19 PM IST
