Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath | Photo Credit: PTI

Zika virus cases in UP's Kanpur rise to 79; CM Yogi Adityanath holds high-level meeting

Zika virus spreads through the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is also a carrier of Dengue and Chikungunya. Its most common symptoms are fever, body aches, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. 

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Key Highlights

  • On Saturday, 13 fresh cases were reported in Kanpur
  • Considering the seriousness, special caution is required, CM said
  • In August, Maharashtra had reported its first case of Zika virus infection

Kanpur: The Zika virus cases in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur have increased to 79, prompting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to call a high-level meeting to discuss measures to check the spread of the infection.

On Saturday, 13 fresh cases were reported in Kanpur, pushing the cumulative number of cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the Uttar Pradesh district to 79, health officials said.

"Till November 6, 79 positive cases for Zika virus have been detected in Kanpur district. Health deparment's RRT (rapid response team) is visiting the house of every such patient, their vitals are being taken and they are also being told about the precautions to be taken," said Kanpur district magistrate Vishak G.

The Chief Minister on Saturday chaired a crucial meeting in view of the rising cases of the Zika virus and instructed officials to speed up sanitisation work.

"Infection of Zika virus is spreading rapidly in Kanpur. Considering the seriousness, special caution is required. Arrangements should be made in all hospitals. The health of each patient should be continuously monitored," he said, ANI reported.

Zika virus spreads through the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is also a carrier of Dengue and Chikungunya. Its most common symptoms are fever, body aches, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. 

Symptoms generally last for two to seven days and most people infected do not develop symptoms, according to the World Health Organization.

In August, Maharashtra had reported its first case of Zika virus infection. Prior to this, only Kerala had reported cases of Zika virus infection this year.