Bangladesh has reported its first-ever cluster of Zika virus cases, with five individuals confirmed infected in Dhaka, according to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B).
In a recent announcement on Monday (March 3), ICDDR,B revealed that the Zika virus was identified in five residents of Dhaka, marking the first instance of a Zika virus cluster in the country. The samples, collected in 2023, were analyzed through genome sequencing, confirming that the virus strain in Bangladesh belongs to the Asian lineage.
The five infected individuals, who live within a one-kilometer radius of each other, showed symptoms consistent with Zika, including fever. None of them had traveled abroad in the past two years, suggesting the virus was locally transmitted. Notably, one of the infected individuals was also diagnosed with dengue.
The ICDDR,B highlighted that Bangladesh’s tropical climate, high temperatures, and prolonged rainy season create ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. The organization emphasized that Zika, like dengue, is transmitted through mosquito bites, and in many cases, the symptoms may go unnoticed in up to 80% of those infected.
Zika virus is particularly concerning for pregnant women, as it can cause severe birth defects, such as microcephaly. It can also spread through sexual contact, making its control more challenging.
Liberty News’ national correspondent states that the first human case of Zika was recorded in Uganda in 1952, and the virus has since spread to various parts of the world. With the detection of this new cluster, Bangladesh joins the growing list of countries where Zika is a present concern.
LND/BG
