The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a comprehensive testing programme targeting all pregnant women residing within five kilometres of areas affected by the Zika virus. The directive, issued on Monday by the PMC health department, mandates zonal medical officers, hospital superintendents, and medical officers to ensure the testing of expectant mothers for Zika virus infection. The move comes in response to the increasing incidence of the virus in the region, as confirmed by a PMC health officer.
Assistant Health Officer of PMC emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our goal is to test as many expecting mothers as possible from active Zika virus transmission zones.” Blood and urine samples collected from these women will be sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for thorough analysis. Since June 20, the PMC has recorded 21 Zika virus cases, including 10 pregnant women. Active transmission has been identified in eight ward offices: Karve Nagar-Warje, Hadapsar, Kothrud-Bavdhan, Aundh-Baner, Singhgad Road, Nagar Road, Kondhwa-Yewalewadi, and Yerawada. Currently, 2,408 expecting mothers from these affected areas are registered with PMC-run hospitals for antenatal care. However, only 167 (7%) have been tested for the virus thus far.
In line with central guidelines, all pregnant women from Zika-affected areas should undergo two ultrasound examinations. The first scan is recommended at 18-20 weeks of gestation, with the second scan between 28-30 weeks. On Monday, PMC reported a new suspected Zika case involving a 23-year-old pregnant woman from Paud Phata. According to officials, the woman, who is five months pregnant, initially sought treatment at a private clinic in Kothrud for symptoms such as fever and rash before being referred to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital.
A senior PMC official revealed that surveillance has been intensified in the area following receipt of her test results from a private laboratory. Her samples have been sent to NIV for confirmation of Zika virus infection. The health officer further disclosed that 11 samples from suspected patients were sent to NIV, with 10 of these samples being from pregnant women. These samples include eight from Kalas and one each from Pashan and Dahanukar Colony. The aggressive testing campaign underscores PMC’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the Zika virus, particularly among vulnerable pregnant women, and highlights the critical need for heightened vigilance and prompt medical intervention in the affected regions.
