Kanpur reports 25 new Zika virus cases including 6 IAF personnel

The cases of the Zika virus are increasing significantly in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, striking fear among citizens and prompting action from the authorities. In recent news, a total of 25 new cases of Zika virus have been reported in Kanpur, taking the total tally up to 36.

Authorities have mentioned that out of the total 25 new cases reported in the city, 6 of the people are Indian Air Force personnel. District Magistrate Vishak G further added that out of the total infections reported on Wednesday, 14 of the patients are women.

He added that the health department had collected blood samples of 586 people on Sunday and these were sent to Lucknow’s KGMU for testing. Out of these blood samples, 25 people were tested positive for the Zika virus and were immediately put under treatment.

Several efforts have been launched by the district administration to check the spread of the disease and track its source. Sanitisation programmes, including anti-larvae spraying, identification of fever patients, screening of seriously ill people and pregnant women are some of the tasks being taken up by health teams.

To further eradicate the virus from Kanpur and the rest of Uttar Pradesh, and limit its spread, health officials in the district have been asked to strengthen their surveillance and ensure door-to-door sampling and testing.

The Kanpur DM added, “We advise the local people not to panic regarding the sudden spurt in Zika virus cases.” Another official said that a high alert has been sounded as a precautionary measure in the periphery of hangars of the IAF station as six personnel have tested positive.

On October 23, an IAF official had contracted the Zika virus in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after which the Union Health Ministry had sent a high-level multidisciplinary team to Uttar Pradesh. Zika virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Till now, deaths have been uncommon among Zika patients.