Five test positive for zika virus in Bengaluru South

BENGALURU: After dengue, the Zika virus too has been detected in the city. In the past two weeks, five cases of Zika virus infection have been detected in Jigani of Anekal taluk in Bengaluru South Assembly constituency, causing panic among the public.

The Health Department has collected blood samples from the patients and their family members and is closely monitoring the situation. So far, seven Zika cases have been reported in the state. The areas where the cases have been reported are being treated as containment zones, and the Health Department is taking necessary precautions.

Zika virus is spread through Aedes mosquito’s bite. Symptoms of Zika include severe headaches, red eyes, fever and rashes on the body. If such symptoms are seen, people are advised to immediately visit the nearest health centre and take precautions.

If Zika is confirmed, blood samples of family members must be sent for lab testing. It is mandatory to test people within a 3-km radius of the affected area. A 1-km radius in the affected area will be treated as a containment zone.

The Health Department said the public need not panic about the Zika virus. Instead, they should take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, it said.