151 Zika Cases, No Report of Guillain-Barre Syndrome Associated With Outbreak in 2024: WHO

In 2024, Maharashtra reported a cumulative total of 140 Zika virus cases through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, WHO said. This is the highest since 2021.

The Wire Staff

Jan 30 2025

In 2024, Maharashtra reported a cumulative total of 140 Zika virus cases through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, WHO said. This is the highest since 2021.

151 zika cases no report of guillain barre syndrome associated with outbreak in 2024 who

A digitally-colourised transmission electron micrograph of the Zika virus (coloured blue, each 40 nm wide). Photo: Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC

New Delhi: The World Health Organization has noted that 151 Zika virus disease cases were reported from three states in India last year, and that until December 31, 2024, there is no report of its connection with the Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Maharashtra reported a cumulative total of 140 Zika virus cases through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, WHO said. This is the highest since 2021 compared with respectively one, three and 18 Zika cases reported in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Additionally, Karnataka and Gujarat reported 10 and one cases, respectively, in 2024.

Among the 140 cases, the majority (125 cases) were reported from Pune district, 11 from Ahmednagar district, and one case from each of Kolhapur, Sangli and Solapur districts and Mumbai suburban area. Additionally, Karnataka reported 10 cases in 2024, with seven reported from Bengaluru urban district and three from Shivamogga district. Gujarat's one Zika case was in the Gandhinagar Corporation.

WHO noted that no cases of microcephaly and/or Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) associated with this outbreak had been reported till December 31, 2024. GBS is an autoimmune disease and is known to occur a few weeks after viral infection. In the last week, patients with GBS have died in places like Kolkata and in Maharashtra, fuelling some degree of panic.

Zika virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Zika virus is also transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy, as well as through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and possibly through organ transplantation. There is no specific treatment available for Zika virus infection or disease, the WHO says.

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