First Zika Virus Cluster Confirmed in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Scientists in Dhaka, Bangladesh, have confirmed the first cluster of Zika virus infections, with five cases identified. This occurs amid high rates of dengue fever in the densely populated city. One patient was also diagnosed with dengue, marking the first instance of co-infection recorded in Bangladesh. The findings prompt the need for nationwide screening to monitor the virus’s potential impact.

Scientists have identified the first cluster of Zika virus infections in Dhaka, Bangladesh, marking a significant public health concern due to the city’s population of 20 million people. The identification of five confirmed cases highlights the potential for local transmission in an area already facing challenges with mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, which affected thousands last year.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) conducted a study confirming these five cases, including one patient co-infected with dengue—an unprecedented occurrence in the country. The findings indicate that the Zika strains in this cluster belong to the Asian lineage, which poses serious health risks, including severe neurological complications and microcephaly.

Bangladesh previously reported a single Zika case in 2016, but this recent study underscores that widespread viral pathogens are emerging more frequently. The research involved screening 152 patients using PCR testing; all Zika-infected individuals lived within a one-kilometer radius and had not traveled outside Bangladesh in the last two years, indicating possible local transmission.

The cluster’s detection points to a pressing need for screenings across Bangladesh to monitor the virus’s spread effectively. The findings were released after analyzing samples collected in 2023, signaling a need for urgent public health measures to combat this emerging threat.

The identification of the first Zika virus cluster in Dhaka highlights the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and public health interventions in Bangladesh. The presence of co-infection cases raises concerns about the potential complications and the spread of Zika, warranting immediate action to prevent further outbreaks.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr