BHOPAL: Five more persons tested positive for Zika virus in the state, according to state health department on Sunday. Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) of AIIMS, Bhopal has confirmed it, said state health department officers. Three patients are from Bhopal and two from neighbouring Sehore district.So far eight Zika cases have been reported in the state. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaria and headache. Pregnant women in their first trimester are considered at most risk as the virus may cause acute neurological illnesses in unborn child.According to highly placed sources, so far more than 50 persons have tested for Zika, after the first ever Zika case in the state was detected last Thursday."A high-level meeting of health department would be convened on Monday. The situation is under control and all preventive micro-plan for surveillance and response activities has been implemented," said a top health department official, seeking anonymity. Health status of the patients was not disclosed. However, many cases are 'not' under quarantine, he confirmed.Epidemiological and entomological surveillance experts have reached Bhopal. They are expected to mobilise response in affected districts of the state, including Sehore, Bhopal and Vidisha.The government is expected to issue an alert in all neighbouring districts. On Saturday, a health department circular has called for enhanced surveillance in all such districts for detection of clustering of febrile illnesses.Bhopal collector Sudam Khade held meeting with district health officials over the situation on Sunday. Locations of new cases are not being revealed by the health department.Sources said one of the suspected cases with a travel history to Rajasthan, was tested for Zika in Bhopal. The suspected patient has gone off the radar of the health department. When malaria department staffers reached the residence for vector control exercise on Sunday, officer in his report later cited 'The patient with suspected Zika infection has gone on holiday to Bengaluru'.Re-test at NIV Pune : MP health department has sent the samples for second reconfirmation test at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The laboratory would use next generation sequencing to ascertain the presence of known mutations in Zika virus linked to fetal microcephaly and high transmissibility in Aedes mosquitoes. NIV has sequenced 5 Zika virus strains collected from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. MP is the fourth such state in India where Zika has been confirmed.

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