Karnataka is now on high alert after the Zika virus was detected in a mosquito sample collected from Chikkaballapur district. This sample was collected from Talakayalabetta village in Sidlaghatta taluk on September 25.Karnataka on high alert amid Zika virusNotably, this is the first time that the Zika virus has been detected in Karnataka. As several people travel daily to Bengaluru and other places from Chikkaballapur district, the authorities have advised the commuters to follow certain precautionary measures.According to the health department, several mosquitoes, people with fever and pregnant women from 68 places all over the state have been randomly tested for Zika virus infections over the past couple of months.Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man from Dibburahalli, a 38-year-old woman from Talakayalabetta and a 50-year-old woman from Bachhanahalli were detected with fever. Their blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation, said the health department officials.Preventive measures are being taken: Health department Following the detection of this infection, various preventive measures are being taken by the state health department in Talakayalabetta, Venkatapura, Dibburahalli, Bacchanahalli and Vaddahalli that fall within a five-kilometre radius of Talakayalabetta, said Dr SS Mahesh Kumar, district health Officer, Chikkaballapur.As of now, at least 38 blood samples have been collected from the district for testing, of which 31 are from pregnant women, the health official said.Steps are being taken to collect samples from two other pregnant women who have gone to their native villages, he added.What is Zika VirusZika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause birth defects in babies born to infected mothers. It is spread primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are found in tropical and subtropical regions. Zika virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplantation.What are Zika Virus symptomsSymptoms of Zika virus include rashes, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for this infection in the country.
