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Zika virus strains collected in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, do not carry mutations related to fetal microcephaly – a serious congenital anomaly in newborns delivered by women infected with the disease – said Saturday the ministry of the Health of the Union.
"Advanced molecular studies on Zika virus strains, performed by next-generation sequencing, suggest that known mutations related to fetal microcephaly and high transmissibility of Zika virus Aedes mosquitoes are not present in the current strain of Zika virus that has affected Rajasthan, "said the ministry. The strains were sequenced at the National Institute of Virology of the Indian Council of Medical Research in Pune.
However, the government indicated that it was monitoring the possibility that infected women giving birth to children with fetal microcephaly if Zika strains mutate in the future or if other factors play a role. role.
The Ministry of Health said nearly 2,000 samples had been tested so far, of which 159 were positive. A sufficient number of test kits have been provided to the state's viral research and diagnostic laboratories. At least 50 of those infected with the virus are pregnant women.
In January 2017, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, reported the first outbreak of the virus strain in the country. Another outbreak was reported in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, six months later. The Center later stated that the outbreaks had been controlled.
The Zika virus is transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, which also wears dengue. Most people who are infected have no symptoms or mild symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and possibly muscle aches and headaches lasting up to a week.
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