Most of the Zika virus cases has been detected in Pune and the tally now stands at 18. The latest cases were mostly in pregnant women.

In one of the cases a 32-year-old pregnant woman was found positive and in an another recent case a 25-year-old woman was found to be infected with Zika virus. Both hailed from Kharadi.

Poll

What is your level of trust in the IMD`s weather predictions?

High 33.24%

Low 33.52%

Moderate 33.24%

Submit

View All In Poll

The numbers have gone up since earlier this month when there were eight cases of Zika virus.

The viral disease is effectively controlled with timely implementation of preventative measures within the first week of symptoms onset. There have been no deaths linked to the virus so far.

Health officials said, "There is surveillance and sample collection within a 3-5 km radius where Zika cases are detected and collection and testing of blood samples from pregnant women was being carried out."

A total of 1,37,686 people were surveyed in Kolhapur and villages in Pune as well as in areas under Pune Municipal Corporation, an official said.

Explaining the spread of Zika virus, Dr Pradeep Awate, epidemiologist and Maharashtra's former disease surveillance office told mid-day that the disease spreads when an aedes mosquito bites and it further transmits the virus to others.

"This is also how dengue is spread," Dr Awate said.