5-year-old Raichur girl is Karnataka’s first confirmed case of Zica infection

BENGALURU: A five-year-old girl from Raichur is the first officially confirmed case of Zica virus infection in Karnataka.

Addresssing reporters here on Monday, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said three samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune of which one has returned positive for Zica. The serum samples had been sent for dengue and chikungunya tests, he noted.

Health minister Sudhakar briefing reporters.

“We are monitoring the situation. We have given instructions to surveillance officers in Raichur and neighbouring districts. A few months ago, Zica virus cases were reported in Maharashtara, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. In Karnataka, no other case has come to light so far and people need not be anxious. There is also no travel restriction”, he noted.

The minister pointed out that Zica is also a vector-borne disease, spread by mosquitoes. He also said detailed guidelines will be released later.

Sudhakar added that in view of the winter season and the cyclonic effect, separate guidelines will be released for different age groups.