Zika virus in Mumbai: Warning signs and prevention suggestions by specialists

The first case of Zika virus case has been reported in Chembur, Mumbai, mentioned Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The 79-year-old man suffered from fever, cough and stuffy nostril. The mosquito-borne sickness transmits by means of aedes ageypti mosquitoes that additionally unfold dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever virus, and West Nile virus. While most individuals contaminated by it stay asymptomatic, in some instances signs like fever, rash, joint ache, conjunctivitis and muscle ache seem. (Also learn: Mumbai reports first case of Zika virus)

Elderly, anticipating moms, individuals with diabetes, most cancers sufferers, or these on immunosuppressive drugs, dialysis dependent and HIV are prone to creating extreme an infection and extended sickness. If untreated or extended, Zika virus might trigger organ dysfunction, neurological points and signs like seizures, altered sensorium, encephalitis and nerve associated issues can happen.

Very few instances of Zika virus have been reported in India. In 2021, a Zika virus an infection was confirmed in a 24-year-old pregnant lady, resident of Kerala. In the identical 12 months, a 50-year-old lady from Maharashtra’s Belsar, was examined optimistic. In 2022, a 7-year-old feminine pupil of a authorities ashramshala (residential college) in Zai, Talasari was recognized with Zika virus.

What is Zika virus

“Zika virus infection is a viral illness caused by the Zika virus. It is an arthopode-borne virus that belongs to the same family of viruses (flaviviridae) as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and West Nile virus. The transmission of Zika virus infection primarily occurs via the bite of infected mosquitoes. Other means of transmission include maternal-foetal transmission, sexual route (including vaginal, anal, and oral sex), blood product transfusion, organ transplantation, or exposure in a laboratory,” says Dr. Rohit Garg, Consultant, Dept of Infectious Disease, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.

“Zika constitute major potential epidemiological risk due to the recent sudden rise in cases, their complications, and severity. It is a mosquito-borne illness and transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, both exquisitely adapted to the human and urban environment. Epidemiologically, though it can occur across all ages, but it causes significant burden of illness among children and pregnant females,” says Dr Neha Rastogi, Consultant, infectious illness, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Symptoms of Zika virus

“It commonly manifests in the form of an acute illness characterised by the acute onset of low-grade fever, pruritic rash, skin rash, joint pains, red eye, myalgia, headache, retro-orbital pain, and weakness. Other less commonly observed symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and mucocutaneous ulcers. Rarely, it can cause eye, cardiac, neurological, etc. complications,” says Dr Garg.

“In terms of clinical presentation, it has insidious and long-term complications. With short incubation period and fever as index presentation- high grade along with muscle aches and severe joint pain more commonly seen. Maculopapular itchy rash is frequently observed from 5-6th day of illness. Unlike dengue, it has minimal haemorrhagic and bleeding complications,” says Dr Rastogi.

Complications and who’s in danger

Dr Rastogi says people who find themselves aged or youngsters, pregnant females, uncontrolled diabetes, most cancers sufferers, on immunosuppressive drugs, dialysis dependent and HIV are prone to creating extreme an infection and extended sickness.

“If untreated or prolonged causes organ dysfunctions and Neurological involvement is mostly associated with Zika infection. It can cause – seizures, altered sensorium, encephalitis and nerve related problems. In pregnant females, it can be even transferred from mother to child causes organ development delay and congenital zika syndrome,” says Dr Rastogi.

“The mosquito-borne virus can cause neurological complications in adults. If a person gets infected by Zika Virus during pregnancy, the infection can interfere with the growth of fetus and lead to abnormally small head and underdeveloped brains in the children,” says Dr Rajesh Kumar, Sr Consultant Internal Medicine, Paras Health, Gurugram.

Young youngsters require excessive care as they have an inclination to play exterior extra throughout the night hours and are extra inclined to mosquito bites. People with a weakened immune system or any medical situation should even be very cautious. They are at a better danger of creating extreme signs in case of an infection as a consequence of their weak immune system.

“The infection of Zika Virus can cause various complications, especially in pregnant women affecting the health of child. The most common complications include birth defects, neurological issues, miscarriage, eye problems and more. Pregnant women are most likely to develop the symptoms of Zika Virus and it can cause severe complications in childbirth. These complications include abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain leading to intellectual and cognitive disabilities and other neurological problems. Zika Virus can also increase the risk of miscarriage. In some cases, Zika Virus infection can lead to neurological complications in adults in which the immune system attacks the nervous system of the person leading to serious problems such as paralysis, weak muscles, and even life-threatening situations. A very common symptom of Zika Virus infection is redness in the eye which can develop into conjunctivitis leading to vision impairment and retinal damage,” says Dr Kumar.

Prevention of Zika virus

“One can prevent himself or herself from getting the Zika virus infection by avoiding mosquito bites by reducing mosquito breeding places (stagnant water in objects like tyres, plastic covers, flower pots, pet’s water bowls, etc.), keeping the doors and windows closed to avoid mosquito entry, keeping ourselves covered by wearing full-sleeve shirts and trousers, using mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, etc. Avoiding travel to endemic areas during pregnancy Sexual abstinence from unprotected sex following symptoms or exposure, i.e., men should wait at least three months and women should wait at least eight weeks after symptom onset Avoid blood or tissue donation for six months following viral exposure,” says Dr Garg.

To stop Zika virus transmission, a number of key measures may be taken, says Dr Laxman Jessani, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai as he goes to elaborate on the identical:

• Minimizing publicity to mosquito bites is essential. This includes utilizing insect repellents, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and sporting long-sleeved clothes and socks.
• Eliminating potential mosquito breeding websites by emptying containers that acquire water, akin to flowerpots and tires, may help cut back the mosquito inhabitants.
• For people residing in or touring to Zika-affected areas, practising protected intercourse is significant.
• Pregnant people ought to take additional precautions, avoiding journey to areas with energetic Zika transmission and utilizing preventive measures if their accomplice has travelled to such areas.
• Staying knowledgeable in regards to the newest journey advisories and well being pointers from dependable sources just like the World Health Organization (WHO) and native well being authorities is advisable. Using bodily boundaries like screens on home windows and doorways can additional stop mosquito entry into residing areas.

“Young children who tend to play outside during evening hours are more susceptible to get infected by Zika Virus. Children must wear protective clothing before going outside to avoid mosquito bites. People must also prevent water stagnation in the surroundings as they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and lead to various mosquito-borne diseases. Prevention is the only way to stay safe from the Zika Virus infection as there is no vaccine or cure for the disease,” says Dr Kumar.

“Preventing Zika virus an infection requires a mix of private precautions and neighborhood efforts. By following these prevention suggestions, people can considerably decrease the danger of Zika virus publicity and potential issues, says Dr Jessani.