Amid the reports of a third covid wave that may hit India next month, the state of Kerala has confirmed the presence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus for the first time ever. According to the latest developments, at least 13 people have tested positive for Zika viral infection after their samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
Speaking to the media, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that even as the Covid pandemic continue to rage in the state, several zika virus cases have also been detected.
“This is the first time that Zika virus has been reported in Kerala… a 24-year-old pregnant woman reported at a hospital in the state capital district with fever, headache and rashes last month. The first results showed a mild positive sign of Zika virus and later from 19 samples tested, 13 also showed Zika positive. All the samples have now been sent to NIV Pune,” she said.
