Zika Infects Pregnant Women in Pune

According to ANI reporting today, two pregnant women in Erandwane, India, have been confirmed with Zika virus cases infections.

As of July 2, 2024, Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, health officer for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), stated that among the 25 Zika samples collected, 12 were from Erandwane, including seven from pregnant women, including the two pregnant women.

An additional 13 samples were collected from Mundhwa, with no reports of pregnant women testing positive during this Zika outbreak.

The PMC launched fumigating programs in late June 2024 and urges citizens to follow the guidelines and take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites that further the spread of the Zika virus. 

Since 2016, the Zika virus has been reported in 16 different Indian states and union territories.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects, such as microcephaly, which is a rare congenital disability that causes a baby's head to be smaller than usual.

Extensive Zika virus outbreaks occurred in the Americas between 2015 and 2016 but generally receded.

As of July 2024, the CDC says mosquitoes spreading Zika are found in the Region of the Americas, including Puerto Rico. 

As of July 2024, 16 Zika cases have been reported in the San Juan, PR area. In 2023, 43 Zika virus cases were reported in PR.

The Puerto Rico Department of Health says Zika will continue to infect people.

The U.S. CDC, Canada, and the United Kingdom say that if you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas reporting Zika cases. 

As of July 2024, there are no approved Zika vaccines. However, vaccine candidates are conducting clinical research.