Five more people test +ve for Zika in Pune, case count surges to 11

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PUNE: PMC on Saturday confirmed Zika infection in five more people in the city, including three pregnant women , taking the total number of confirmed patients to 11.The first case in the city was detected in a doctor on June 20. "With these cases, the number of expecting mothers with Zika infection has risen to five now," a civic official said.PMC's assistant health officer Dr Rajesh Dighe said, "NIV confirmed the three new cases late on Friday night.We are sending blood samples of only pregnant women in accordance with NIV guidelines . The cases are from Mundhwa, Pashan and Ambegaon.""Among the new patients, a woman in first trimester has emerged as a focal case as this period is key in the development of the foetus. We have advised the woman against leaving the city to ensure regular follow-up. She has not reported any symptoms though," he said.Dr Varshali Mali, senior consultant obstetrics and gynaecology with Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital, said, "Zika can cause severe birth defects during pregnancy. These include microcephaly and other congenital malformations in the newborns, besides preterm birth and miscarriage. Most people infected with Zika do not exhibit any symptoms. For those who are symptomatic, mild fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis and headache are common and require vigilant monitoring."The Mundhwa patient stays within 100-metre radius of an existing Zika confirmed case.