While scientists found the first cases of the Zika virus in Jaipur, Rajasthan, scientists have also found trails of the Zika virus from other parts of India. Scientists examining Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS) in southern India found the presence of antibodies against Zika. Research published on the latest neurology issues states that the Zika virus may act as a causative factor of GBS.
The Zika virus is an Ades mosquito bourne virus that can cause mild illness. Still, it recently has gained attention as it gets associated with birth defects when a pregnant woman gets infected. Zika virus is associated with microcephaly in babies. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a neurological disorder in adults caused by the Zika virus which includes muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases respiratory distress.
Scientists of JIPMER, Pondicherry studied 90 patients for antibodies of Zika and found that 14 had the antibodies, and some also had antibodies against dengue.
Zika virus may be spreading to several parts of India but most infections are occurring in Rajasthan and Gujarat. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), ZIKA is not new to India as in 1954, the National Institute of Virology (NUV) PUNE tested Bharuch district of Gujarat showed 16.8% samples had positive results.
“wild research proved that Zika virus causes microcephaly and GBS, it is very likely to present in other parts of India apart from Rajasthan and Gujarat ” A.C Dhariwal, national vector-borne disease control programme. Research also shows that despite being present in many parts of India Zika is not showing up due to neutralization of Zika virus by dengue virus antibodies. ICMR initiated laboratory testing of microcephaly in newborn birth screening programme organised in 55 medical colleges through Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram of the Reproductive and Child Health Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Worldwide Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda in 1947, it has infected Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific. In the outbreak of Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015, national health authorities reported potential neurological and autoimmune complications of Zika. Symptoms are similar to other viral infections such as rashes, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and headache.
