Indian health officials have reported the country’s first local Zika virus infections this month in the westernmost state of Gujarat, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) via the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-Government of India.

Aedes aegypti Image/CDC
Aedes aegypti
Image/CDC

The three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease were reported in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad District in the state. The cases were found during routine lab surveillance from 2016-2017.

These cases show that there is circulation of the virus in India.

The confirmation of the presence of the virus in humans in India was first noted in 1952.

Increased communications, mosquito testing and surveillance is occurring in India.

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