THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Kerala reported its first case of
zika virus infect on Thursday after a 24-year-old pregnant woman from Prassalla near Thiruvananthapuram tested positive for the disease.
It is learnt that of the 19 samples sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, 13 have tested positive of zika virus. All the 13 samples were sent from Thiruvananthapuram.
The woman, has tested positive of the infection is stable and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
The doctors of the hospital said since the virus is not life threatening, there was no need of concern.
The woman was admitted with fever, headache and rashes over her body.
The doctors said all the precautions were taken.
Similar symptoms were reported from the 19 people whose samples were sent to the NIV.
Health officials said that the infection be controlled by taking adequate rest.
In fact, there is no antiviral treatment or vaccine against the zika virus at the moment. The best preventive method is to avoid mosquito bites during the daytime.
The virus, however, is dangerous for pregnant women as they can pass on the virus to the feotus that can cause deformities in babies.
The symptoms similar to dengue and chikungunya.
Usually, the symptoms occur within two to seven days after being bitten by mosquitos.
The incubation period of of the virus is three to 14 days.
Symptoms include mild fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and general malaise.
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