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Recent weeks have seen a concerning surge in <keyword id="22056660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zika-virus" source="keywords">Zika virus</keyword> cases across <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>, particularly in Pune, Maharashtra. As of the latest reports, Pune alone has reported a total of 12 confirmed cases, including several <keyword id="19905236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pregnant-women" source="keywords">pregnant women</keyword>. The <keyword id="20877025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="outbreak" source="keywords">outbreak</keyword> has prompted local health authorities to intensify surveillance and implement stringent measures to curb further spread.<br /><h2>What is Zika and how deadly is it?</h2>Zika virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, shares its vector with <keyword id="6360092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dengue" source="Orion">dengue</keyword> and chikungunya. While most infected individuals experience mild symptoms like fever, headache, red eyes, rash, and joint pain, the virus can pose severe risks, especially to pregnant women.<br /><br />It is also known to cause <keyword id="20496650" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="microcephaly" source="keywords">microcephaly</keyword> — a condition where a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected — and other neurological complications in infants exposed in utero, highlighting its potential for devastating impacts. However, it may be noted that no Zika-associated microcephaly cases have been reported in the country since 2016.<br /><h2>Where have the Zika cases arisen?</h2>Cases have been reported not only in Pune but also in other parts of Maharashtra such as Kolhapur and Ahmednagar. Additionally, states like Karnataka and Kerala have also reported instances of Zika infections.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111250832" title="Bengaluru on dengue alert: City reports over 1,000 cases in 20 days; BBPM Chief falls prey to disease" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As per a The New Indian Express report, the Karnataka patient has since succumbed, although officials have noted that other complications could have contributed to the death.<br /><h2>Do I need to worry about catching the illness?</h2>While Zika virus infections generally result in mild illness for most individuals, the greatest concern lies with pregnant women. Infections during pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects such as microcephaly, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures.<br /><h2>What precautions can I take against Zika?</h2>In the absence of a vaccine, we must do our best to avoid the infection. To minimise the risk of contracting the Zika virus, individuals are advised to:<br /><ul><li>Avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.</li><li>Eliminate mosquito breeding sites: Regularly empty standing water from containers like flowerpots, buckets, and birdbaths where mosquitoes breed.</li><li>Safe Sexual Practices: Zika can be sexually transmitted, so practise safe sex or abstain if you or your partner has recently travelled to an area with Zika.</li></ul><h2>Public health response and advice</h2>Authorities have urged health facilities to screen pregnant women for Zika virus, intensify vector control activities, and report suspected cases promptly to prevent further transmission. The availability of testing facilities and timely reporting are crucial in managing and containing outbreaks.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111316992" title="Dengue in obese children is more likely to result in hospitalisation, study finds" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Staying informed and taking appropriate precautions remain the best defences against Zika virus transmission as efforts continue to contain its spread across affected regions in India.<br />

Zika virus: How worried do you need to be about the mosquito-borne disease as cases rise in India?

Is it just us or does it feel like we are all starring in Stranger Things and living in ‘the Upside Down’? We sure are living in stranger times and dealing with unpredictable plot twists almost every other day.<br /><br />    <div type="image" title="Stranger Things" msid="93786051" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Stranger Things&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />On August 24, 2022, India reported 10,649 <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-logs-in-8586-new-covid-infections-active-cases-decline/articleshow/93723223.cms">new </a>cases of the novel <keyword id="1754604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus" source="Orion">coronavirus</keyword>. <br /><br />    <div type="image" title="COVID-19 new case additions and deaths" msid="93786058" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;COVID-19 new case additions and deaths&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />While the once-novel disease keeps coming back in waves, it isn’t the only one that the country is battling today. New <keyword id="25927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diseases" source="Orion">diseases</keyword> such as <keyword id="7616951" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="monkeypox" source="Orion">monkeypox</keyword> and <keyword id="13885432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tomato-Flu" source="Orion">tomato flu</keyword> are also plaguing the whole world. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Tomato flu: Symptoms and precaution</strong><br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with Tomato flu" msid="93786076" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with Tomato flu&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />A new infection named Tomato flu has been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Odisha. It is now determined to be a clinical variant of the hand-foot-mouth disease, caused by a group of enteroviruses or viruses transmitted through the intestine. Over 82 children below the age of five years have been reportedly infected with the disease. <br /><br />As per Lancet Respiratory Medicine, tomato flu could also ‘be a new variant of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common infectious disease targeting mostly children aged 1–5 years and immunocompromised adults.’<br /><br />The infection results in tomato-shaped blisters on the body and causes skin irritation, dehydration, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea, discolouration of hands, knees and buttocks, vomiting, and fatigue.<br /><br />While it is yet to be ascertained if it affects only children, the Union Health Ministry has issued a set of guidelines on how to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/tomato-flu-outbreak-in-keralatamilnadu-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-infection/articleshow/91496289.cms">protect </a>children from the infection and its treatment course. <br /><br />In children with these symptoms, the advisory said, ‘molecular and serological tests are done for diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes; once these viral infections are ruled out, a diagnosis of tomato flu is considered’.<br /><br />If you develop some of these symptoms, the first and foremost thing to do is consult a doctor immediately. The guidelines also state that if children develop symptoms, they should be isolated. Their belongings such as utensils, clothing and bedding must be regularly sanitised. Children should also stay hydrated, and the blisters caused by the infection must be cleaned with warm water. The infected person must avoid scratching the rashes or blisters. <br /><br />With the schools reopening, one must proceed with caution and not panic because the situation is not alarming yet.<br /><br /><strong>Monkeypox: Origin and symptoms</strong> <br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease" msid="93786087" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />First discovered in 1958 in the colonies of monkeys kept for research, monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease. <br /><br />The first human case of monkeypox was reported from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970. Monkeypox virus primarily occurs in Central and West Africa. In 2003, the first monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa was reported in the United States of America which was linked to contact with infected pet prairie dogs. These pets had been housed with Gambian pouched rats and dormice that had been imported into the country from Ghana.<br /><br />Monkeypox starts with an unexplained acute rash. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, body aches and profound weakness.<br /><br />As of August 24, there were 9 active cases of monkeypox in India, with 4 in Delhi and 5 in Kerala. <br /><br />If infected, patients are advised to isolate to prevent further transmission, while the authorities have been advised to provide optimal clinical care, identify and manage contacts, protect frontline health workers, take effective control and preventive measures based on the identified routes of transmission. <br /><br /><strong>Swine flu<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296723">Swine flu is not a new</a> outbreak, it had first appeared in 2015 and Rajasthan and Gujarat were among the worst-hit states. Around 218 people had <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296723">succumbed </a>to the flu back in 2015.<br /><br />With the current weather, cases of swine flu or H1N1 flu and monsoon-related diseases are on the rise again in Maharashtra. In July, a total of 6 deaths were reported from Mumbai – 2 deaths// each// were caused by dengue and swine flu and 1 death each due to malaria and leptospirosis. During the same period, Mumbai reported 35 swine flu cases. <br /><br /><strong>Zika virus</strong><br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Zika virus" msid="93786113" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Zika virus &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />In July, cases of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296702">Zika virus were silently</a> spreading across Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi.<br /><br />Zika virus spreads mostly through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes and causes fever, headache, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and rash. Experts recommend that the only way to curb the spread is to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-monkeypox-tomato-fever-zika-virus-india-has-its-hands-full-with-these-outbreaks-and-more/slidelist/93296406.cms#slideid=93296702">control breeding of mosquitoes</a>, which commonly happens in stagnant water.<br /><br />As the world grapples with new variants of Covid-19, tomato flu and monkeypox, There are 200 more active viruses, and bacteria in the air, thanks to climate change, said a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/there-are-200-more-active-viruses-bacteria-in-the-air-thanks-to-climate-change/articleshow/93445722.cms">report </a>by Nature Climate Change. It could only worsen in years to come.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Stay safe, mask up!" msid="93786150" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Stay safe, mask up!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />The research <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/there-are-200-more-active-viruses-bacteria-in-the-air-thanks-to-climate-change/articleshow/93445722.cms">revealed </a>that warming, precipitation, floods, drought, storm, land cover change, ocean climate change, fires, heatwaves and sea level changes were all found to influence diseases triggered by viruses, bacteria, animals, fungi, protozoans, plants and chromists. Pathogenic diseases were primarily transmitted by vectors.<br /><br />So, to stay safe, mask up people! <br /><br /><em>Disclaimer: This content, including the advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Please contact a medical professional for more information.</em><br /><br />

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Zika virus: How worried do you need to be about the mosquito-borne disease as cases rise in India?

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