A case of Zika virus, transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, has been reported for the first time in Kerala. Samples of 13 persons, suspected to be positive for Zika, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation.
The confirmed case of the virus is a 24-year-old pregnant woman from Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district who is under treatment at a private hospital, said a statement from the health department.
Of the 19 samples sent from Thiruvananthapuram, 13 health workers, including doctors, are suspected to be positive for Zika, the minister said.
The woman, hailing from Parassalain Thiruvananthapuram district, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here, delivered her baby on July7.
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She had been admitted to the hospital on June 28 with fever, headache and red marks on her body.
The tests conducted at the hospital confirmed that she was positive following which her samples were sent to NIV, Pune.
The condition of the woman was satisfactory.
Though she does not have any travel history outside the state, her house is on the Tamil Nadu border. A week ago, her mother had also shown similar symptoms, a government release added.
The symptoms of Zika are similar to dengue including fever, skin rashes and joint pain.
With PTI inputs
