20 more blood samples from persons suspected to be infected with Zika virus have been collected and sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune for testing. Forty pregnant women who are Zika positive, shows alarming situation in Madhya Pradesh. People have tested positive for Zika virus in the following seven districts in MP: Bhopal, Sehore, Vidisha, Sagar, Hoshangabad, Narsingpur and Raisen.
This includes 50 cases reported from Bhopal, 20 from Sehore, 29 from Vidisha, two each from Sagar and Hoshangabad, and one each from Narsinghpur and Raisen. A central team is reviewing the situation and directing the MP government to replicate measures and the action plan implemented in Jaipur and Ahmedabad to contain the disease.
According to health department, blood sample have been sent to Pune based national virology lab to ascertain whether the virus strain is the same as the one that infected patients in Jaipur. If it is found to be the same then it will be established that the virus found its way into MP from Jaipur.
Join director Dr Ajay Baronia said, “It is not a matter of panic as situation is under control. We are observing the situation closely. Blood samples are properly tested in AIIMS. And even samples are being sent to Pune based institute. It is routine work. So far 40 Zika patients are pregnant and total 127 are Zika positive.”
