With the onset of monsoon, cases of mosquito-borne diseases have started increasing in many states of the country. In the last 15-20 days, there has been an increase in dengue cases in many cities of Maharashtra and its surrounding areas. Meanwhile, recent reports show that the threat of Zika virus is also increasing in Pune city. According to media reports, seven cases of Zika virus infection have been reported in Pune. Two pregnant women are also among the patients.

An official said, Zika virus infection was found in a 28-year-old pregnant woman. Her report came positive on Friday. Another 12-week pregnant woman was also found infected on Monday. On Tuesday, a 55-year-old woman in Pune has also been found infected with Zika. Zika infection can be serious and even life-threatening in some situations, due to which all people have been advised to take continuous precautions. Zika infection in pregnant women can also lead to the risk of microcephaly in the fetus (the head becomes very small due to abnormal brain development).

Let us know how to differentiate between dengue and Zika and what efforts need to be made to prevent them?

Dengue threat in Maharashtra
According to media reports, even before the monsoon this year, an increase in dengue cases is being recorded in many cities of Maharashtra and nearby areas. Even before the onset of monsoon, till May this year, about 1800 people have been diagnosed with dengue in Maharashtra. The number of infected people has also increased in hospitals. Health experts have expressed apprehension that dengue cases may increase even more during the rainy season, due to which all people need to be cautious from now onwards.

Since both are mosquito-borne diseases and the symptoms of infection are almost the same, how to differentiate between them?

Zika infection
Zika infection is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. If a pregnant woman is infected with Zika, there is a risk of infection to the fetus as well. The virus can remain in body fluids such as semen for a few weeks to several months after infection, even if you never have symptoms. In such a situation, there is also a risk of spreading Zika virus through sexual intercourse with an infected person. Only 1 in 5 people suffering from Zika show symptoms. It can also cause problems like fever, headache, joint pain, conjunctivitis, redness or itching of the skin.

Dengue cases
Dengue fever is also a disease spread by infected mosquitoes. Dengue does not spread from one person to another. Dengue mosquitoes are more active during the day, so it is considered most important to keep taking measures to prevent mosquito bites. Symptoms can vary in every person infected with the dengue virus. Along with fever, there may be problems of nausea, vomiting, rashes on the body, muscle and joint pain or headache. In severe cases, the risk of internal bleeding due to dengue also increases.

How to differentiate between dengue and Zika? Both dengue and Zika are infectious diseases caused by mosquitoes. Zika virus is more contagious than dengue and chikungunya. Most cases of Zika virus are usually seen in children and pregnant women. It is difficult to differentiate it based on symptoms but some things make them different. Zika infection can spread from one person to another, although dengue infection does not spread in this way. It is most important to pay serious attention to the symptoms and get timely treatment.

(PC: ISTOCK)