Karnataka reported its first confirmed case of Zika virus after a five-year-old girl tested positive in the state. State Health Minister while confirming the news said that there is no need for any worry or concern as the government is taking all the necessary measures and will also be issuing a set of guidelines.
"We have got a lab report from Pune about the confirmed case of Zika virus. On December 5, it was processed and reported on December 8. Three specimens were sent out of which two were negative and one was positive, which is a five-year-old-girl. We are keeping a vigil," Health Minister K Sudhakar said in response to a question on the Zika virus case in Raichur.
Speaking to reporters, he pointed out that a few months ago Zika virus cases were found in Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
"This is the first confirmed case in Karnataka. It came to light when the serum was subjected to Dengue and Chikungunya test. Usually 10 per cent of such samples are sent to Pune for test, out of which this has come across as positive," he added.
The minister said that the government is maintaining caution and necessary instructions have been given to surveillance (Health department) officials in Raichur and neighbouring districts, to send the samples for Zika virus test in case any suspected infection cases are found in any hospitals.
The girl did not have any travel history, he said.
The Zika virus disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections like Dengue and Chikungunya. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947.
