Zika Outbreak in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
As of November 9, there were 89 new cases of the Zika virus in the city of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP). This is the first time they have found this virus in UP, and health officials say that it can quickly spread in UP which has a population of 204 million.
Mosquitos usually spread Zika, but it can also be a sexually transmitted disease. There is no cure, so the only option for officials is to rid the area of mosquitos quickly. Though it usually causes rashes, mild fevers, headaches, and joint pain, it can also cause a severe congenital disability in pregnant women who get the virus. Their babies can be born with shrunken brains. It is also linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an auto-immune disease that causes the body to attack its immunities.
At the publishing of this article, there were no efforts to eliminate mosquitos. Pray that this preventative measure will happen quickly.
SOURCES:
- CNN, India Zika outbreak sees surge of nearly 100 cases, November 8, 2021.
- BBC News, Zika virus: India’s Kanpur city on alert after 89 cases reported, November 8, 2021.