Zika Infection: Maharashtra records a total of 97 cases

Despite several measures undertaken by the government to curb the spread of Zika virus in Maharashtra, cases continue to rise with a total of 97.

Zika infection is preventable and can also be cured however, the risk lies among pregnant women transferring the infection to the foetus which can then lead to birth defects.

When the infection first started spreading this year, the aim of the health departments of Maharashtra was to take special care to protect pregnant women.

So far, 3 more people tested positive for Zika infection and among them 2 are pregnant women.

A total of 45 pregnant women have tested positive in Maharashtra and Pune itself has recorded 75 positive patients overall.

As per the health department, the pregnant women are being closely monitored.

Among the new cases that were reported on Friday, two are from Pune city and one from Yamuna Nagar in Pimpri-Chinwad.

The areas that have reported the maximum Zika virus cases are Pune city, Pimpri-Chinwad, rural Pune, Kolhapur, Ahmednagar, Sangli and Solapur, as per a health official from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) of the Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra.