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Gandhinagar, November 9 – Health officials in Gujarat confirmed a case of Zika virus infection in a 70-year-old man from Gandhinagar. Following treatment, the patient has recovered fully and was discharged last week. The Gujarat Health Department announced the case on Thursday, noting that additional precautions, including testing around 500 individuals in the patient’s neighborhood, were taken to prevent further spread.
The elderly patient was initially admitted to a local hospital on October 24 with symptoms of fever, cold, and joint pain, which were not immediately linked to Zika. He was then referred to a private hospital in Ahmedabad, where medical experts, suspecting a Zika infection, sent his samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Test results confirmed the presence of the Zika virus four days ago, after which health officials began a thorough surveillance and containment exercise in his neighborhood.
Health teams visited the patient’s area and tested around 500 people, though none showed signs of infection, the department reported.
Zika virus, which is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, often presents with symptoms such as rash, fever, conjunctivitis, and muscle and joint pain. However, infection during pregnancy carries severe risks, including microcephaly in infants and other birth complications.
This incident marks an important reminder for vigilance, especially in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are prevalent, said the Gujarat Health Department, emphasizing ongoing efforts to monitor and control mosquito-borne diseases.
