Nagpur gets second lab to test Zika, more to come

Nagpur: With first patient infected with Zika virus detected in Pune four days ago, the health authorities in state have proactively swung into action.
In Nagpur, the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) laboratory already has the facility to test for Zika virus.
On Wednesday, Dhruv Pathology and Molecular Diagnostic Lab in city has also started testing samples and became the first and only private lab to test samples for Zika virus.
Experts told TOI that more labs may come in future if needed.
“Labs having infrastructure for RT-PCR test for Covid-19 can conduct the Zika test if supplied with the testing kits through the NIV. More labs may start if state detects more cases of Zika,” said Dr Meena Mishra, Professor and Head of the Department, Microbiology, AIIMS, Nagpur.
“We have these testing kits and have already tested a few samples from city. The relief factor is that all of them tested negative,” said Dr Shailendra Mundhada, director of Dhruv lab.
IGGMCH is also testing samples for Zika virus on regular basis. A senior official from the microbiology department of IGGMC told TOI that divisional health authorities hand over samples to the lab if they test negative for both dengue and chikungunia. Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya viruses also transmits Zika virus. The RT-PCR test is the standard test for the detection of Zika virus too.
After a three-member central team visited Pune earlier this week, Maharashtra has decided to start testing every negative dengue/chikungunya sample for the virus. According to officials, testing was anyway going on but only select samples with travel history to Zika affected regions used to be sent for testing in labs. Now onwards, testing will be conducted locally at six labs in Maharashtra. IGGMCs lab will cater not only 11 districts of Vidarbha but also almost half of Marathwada too.
NO NEED TO PANIC
Zika is a moderate disease
All samples tested negative till date in Vidarbha
80% patients do not get any symptoms
20% have moderate flu-like symptoms
One can recover by drinking enough water, taking rest
Having a simple paracetamol tablet also works in most cases