The New Indian Journal of OBGYN 4(2):100-105

Emergence of Zika virus in India: Implications for pregnant women and obstetrician

Moushmi B. Tadas Parpillewar

ABSTRACT

With the emergence of first case of Zika virus infection in India, it is very important to know the consequences of this infection on the pregnant women and her foetus. At the same time the obstetrician and her treating physician must have knowledge of this infection, its etiopathogenesis and treatment. Although this infection causes mild symptoms in humans, it causes transmission from mother to fetus leading to congenital infection to the fetus leading to microcephaly. It is transmitted to humans via bite of infected aedes mosquito, vector which is abundant in India and the vulnerable population with very little or no immunity for this infection. Zika virus is closely related to yellow fever, dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses but causes mild variety of symptoms which are never fatal. But reports and evidences from the epidemic of microcephaly in infants born to mothers suffering from Zika virus infection in Brazil led to the conclusion that this microcephaly is caused by congenital Zika virus infection. There is no vaccine for this infection, treatment is symptomatic. Diagnosis is by serological testing.