Zika virus reported in India

Three people infected with the Zika virus have been diagnosed in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat State, India. None of the cases reported any travel, indicating that the virus was transmitted by local mosquitoes. Zika virus has probably been present in India since 1950 with sporadic cases. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, evidence of Zika was found in mosquitoes.

Advice

These findings suggest low level transmission of Zika virus and new cases may occur in the future. Zika virus is known to be circulating in South East Asia Region. The risk for the general traveller is low, but the risk in any particular location is difficult to estimate since so many infected people have no symptoms and are not recorded officially. There may be more infected people in the community.