Pune: A 46-year-old doctor and his daughter (15) of Erandwane tested positive for Zika virus infection in the last few days, making them the city’s first two confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease this season.Officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s health department said the doctor had sought medical intervention on OPD-basis at a private hospital after developing fever and rash on June 18. His blood sample was sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) on June 20, which confirmed the Zika virus infection on June 21. His daughter’s blood sample was also sent to NIV on June 21 as she complained of mild symptoms too. The NIV confirmed the infection on June 24, after testing her blood sample. “As of now, both are at home and stable. They are undergoing treatment on OPD basis,” Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer, PMC, said.The Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Health experts said most people infected with Zika tend to exhibit no symptoms. Mild symptoms include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, body aches and joint pain.Civic health officials and infectious disease experts visited the area of their residence after the confirmation of infection in their blood samples. “There are five members in the doctor’s family. Of them, the doctor’s parents and wife have not exhibited any symptoms so far. We will conduct a survey around the patients’ residence for the next 14 days and also screen people for any symptoms in the vicinity,” a civic health official said.The civic team had taken up fogging and fumigation exercises to control the breeding of mosquitoes in the area, the official said.PMC’s assistant health officer Dr Dighe urged citizens with fever to visit the nearest hospitals to get checked for the Zika virus infection. “Any place where water can be stored for days is an ideal breeding spot for mosquitoes. These can include broken cans, plant pots, tyres and other such items. They should be discarded immediately,” Dighe said.
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