Zika Strain has no fetal microcephaly-related mutation, says the Ministry of Health on samples from Rajasthan

New Delhi:

An badysis of Jaipur Zika virus strains showed that they did not possess the known mutations related to fetal microcephaly, a serious conbad anomaly in newly born infants. infected mothers, according to the same source. Ministry of Health.

ICMR-NIV in Pune sequenced five strains of Zika virus collected at different times during the Jaipur epidemic.

"Advanced molecular studies of Zika virus strains, performed by next-generation sequencing, suggest that known mutations related to fetal microcephaly and high transmissibility of Zika virus in Aedes mosquitoes are not present in the strain. current Zika virus that has affected Rajasthan, "said Saturday the ministry.

However, the government has kept great vigilance on the possibility the adverse outcome of pregnancy in women exposed to Zika virus because the strain could mutate in the future, or others Unknown factors / host could play a role in microcephaly / other diseases, the statement said.

The Department of Health said that about 2,000 samples had been tested, of which 159 cases were confirmed. A sufficient number of test kits have been provided to the Viral and Diagnostic Research Laboratories.

The Government of Rajasthan has received all the material prepared to raise public awareness of Zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. All pregnant women in the area are being treated. monitored.

The state government is in the process of implementing large-scale vector monitoring and control measures in the region.

Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently reported by 86 countries. The symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to those of other viral infections such as dengue fever and include: fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache.

In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January / February 2017 and the second outbreak in July 2017 in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district.

The disease is still present in disease surveillance radars of the Union's Ministry of Health, although it is no longer an international public health emergency since the 18th WHO notification. November 2016.