Zika Samples Overwhelm NIV, PMC Considers Partnering with BJMC for Testing

The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is struggling to keep up with the influx of blood and urine samples sent by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to test for Zika virus infection. This surge in samples has led to a delay in reporting, prompting the PMC to consider sending samples to BJ Medical College (BJMC) as well. In the past week, the PMC has sent samples from suspected Zika cases among pregnant women within a 3-kilometer radius of a confirmed case to NIV, along with samples from individuals exhibiting Zika-associated symptoms. Private hospitals are also sending their suspected samples to NIV, as it is the only authorized agency to confirm Zika cases.

According to Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, deputy health officer and in-charge of the PMC health department, “Anti-larval action remains the same for suspected or confirmed cases, so we are considering sending samples to BJMC as well, as they offered their expertise to us immediately after the first case was reported.” BJMC’s head of microbiology, Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “During the Covid pandemic, we acquired the necessary machinery to conduct RT-PCR tests on a large scale as well as genome sequencing. We will be able to provide same-day reports and contribute to research and future studies.”

Meanwhile, the PMC has been deploying its health staff daily to conduct preventive activities. On Sunday, the entire health staff was on the ground, undertaking fogging activities in homes and workplaces of new cases, as well as spraying in the surrounding areas. According to Dr. Rajesh Dighe, PMC’s assistant health officer, “Our health staff is working tirelessly to contain the spread of the virus and ensure the well-being of the community.”

It is worth noting that, according to central health ministry guidelines, only samples confirmed by NIV for Zika virus are considered positive, while others are classified as suspected cases. The PMC’s efforts to test and survey residents, combined with the potential partnership with BJMC, aim to facilitate timely containment measures and a better understanding of vector-borne infections.

Historical Context:

The Zika virus was first identified in 1947 in Uganda and was initially thought to be a mild disease. However, in 2015, a large outbreak occurred in Brazil, which led to a global health emergency declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus was found to be linked to birth defects and neurological disorders, causing widespread concern. Since then, there have been outbreaks reported in various parts of the world, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In India, the first case of Zika virus infection was reported in 2017, and since then, there have been sporadic cases reported across the country.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is overwhelmed with blood and urine samples sent by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to test for Zika virus infection, leading to a delay in reporting. • The PMC is considering sending samples to BJ Medical College (BJMC) for testing, as they have offered their expertise and can provide same-day reports. • BJMC has the necessary machinery to conduct RT-PCR tests on a large scale and genome sequencing, which can contribute to research and future studies. • The PMC has been deploying its health staff daily to conduct preventive activities, including fogging and spraying in homes and workplaces of new cases. • According to central health ministry guidelines, only samples confirmed by NIV for Zika virus are considered positive, while others are classified as suspected cases. • The PMC’s efforts aim to facilitate timely containment measures and a better understanding of vector-borne infections. • The potential partnership with BJMC aims to improve the testing process and provide timely results to facilitate effective public health measures.