Mumbai: Kurla teen is 2nd Zika case in city

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A 15-year-old girl from Kurla under L ward became the second case of Zika virus in the city with symptoms like fever and headache since August 20. The first case of the virus was a 79-year-old man from Chembur, who has now recovered. The case had occurred around the same time as the teenager.

In both cases, patients had pre-existing comorbidities and received treatment from a private hospital. "The patient is stable and has been shifted to a government hospital as on September 5," BMC's health department said.

The disease is a mild illness caused by the Zika virus. The disease is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and chikungunya. Even though it is a viral infection, the disease does not spread rapidly as Covid-19.

The civic health department has surveyed households where the girl lives and vector control measures were undertaken. "No more suspected Zika virus/fever cases were detected," the health department said.

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Some of the Zika virus symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. However, it is noteworthy that around 80 per cent of those who are infected remain asymptomatic. "Those with comorbidities are likely to develop severe infections that may require hospitalisation," the health department said.

The health department has advised citizens to take control of mosquito breeding sites by covering all water tanks and containers with tight lids and disposing of all unused containers, junk materials, tires, coconut shells, etc. to avoid water accumulation.