Two new cases of Zika virus reported in Lucknow on Thursday

After Kanpur and Kannauj, the Zika virus has set its foot in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh now. On Thursday, two cases of Zika virus were detected in Lucknow, confirmed the health department official of the UP government. With this, Lucknow has become the third district of the state to have a Zika footprint. Apart from UP, cases of Zika virus have also been detected in Kerala and Maharashtra as well.

Asymptomatic Zika patients identified in Lucknow

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According to the Director-General, Medical and Health in the Uttar Pradesh government-Ved Vrat Singh, these cases were identified in Lucknow's Hussainganj and LDA Colony areas. While one of the patients is a 30-year-old man, the other is a 24-year-old woman from the Krishna Nagar area on Kanpur Road in Lucknow. Reportedly, the testing of the samples of Zika virus patients took place at King George's Medical University where the reports turned out positive yesterday.

Rapid action undertaken to curb the spread of Zika virus

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K.P. Tripathi, the official in-charge of vector-borne disease control in Lucknow said, "Both the patients (in Lucknow) are stable and have no symptoms. We have taken samples of close contacts and got fogging and anti-larva spray done in the vicinity of their homes. More sampling will be done".

As per the government officials, rapid action has been taken to tackle and trap the spread of the Zika virus. "We have isolated both the patients and also asked their family members to remain at home. The neighbours in a 50-metre area have been educated about preventive measures against the Zika virus. On Friday, we will further check people in a 100-metre area and fogging will be repeated during the night," added Tripathi.

What is Zika virus?

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Zika virus is a vector-borne disease caused by a virus which is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads other diseases like dengue and chikungunya as well. The major symptoms of this disease includes mild fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Aedes mosquitoes bite mostly during the day. Even though the Zika virus infection does not lead to any critical medical problem in most people, it is extremely detrimental for pregnant women and infants.