Zika virus confirmed in Pakistan

• The study found that two cases of Zika virus occurred between August and November 2021.
• Hundreds of cases of dengue-like illness have been reported in Karachi.
• However, the affected patients were tested positive for dengue fever at that time.

ISLAMABAD: Researchers have finally solved the cause of the mysterious illness that struck Karachi in 2021, finding that the Zika virus was to blame for the disease that affected hundreds of people in the country’s financial hub.

Dr. Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Principal Investigator of the United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN), was interviewed by newsIt was revealed that researchers at the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi discovered two cases of Zika virus during an outbreak of a mysterious viral disease in 2021, which were later confirmed through metagenomics at the Geier Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle.

“In our study, we confirmed the presence of Zika virus in Pakistan, which had never been detected before,” said Dr Talat, referring to a study involving patients aged between one and 75 years with acute viral illnesses in AKU wards, outpatient clinics and those referred by doctors.

Meanwhile, the study also recruited 44 patients from the arbovirus group, six of whom were NS1-negative and had acute febrile illness, vomiting and diarrhea. These cases were recruited between August and November 2021, she added.

The news follows reports in the November 2021 publication of the spread of a dengue-like illness whose symptoms include fever and decreased platelet and white blood cell counts.

However, the affected patients tested negative for the dengue virus at that time.

During the investigation, UWARN (a multicenter study involving Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, Brazil and Taiwan) conducted an investigation and confirmed two cases of single infection and two cases of mixed infection of Zika virus and dengue fever by serology and PCR in 2021 and 2022.

It is worth noting that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito.

While most people experience no symptoms after infection, some develop rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache, which can last two to seven days.

Elaborating on the work of the forum, Dr. Iqbal said the study aims to characterize emerging viruses and conduct active surveillance of arboviruses at the UWARN center.

She also stressed that AKU has been working with UWARN to conduct active surveillance of arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya and other hemorrhagic viruses.

After confirming the discovery of Zika virus, AKU head of infectious diseases Dr Faisal Mehmood said he was aware of the presence and detection of the disease in the country and it was currently confirmed that the disease was spreading in areas around Karachi.

Meanwhile, Sindh health department officials also confirmed that hundreds of cases of dengue, chikungunya and other vector-borne diseases are reported from the metropolis every week.

According to officials, the city has recorded at least 10 deaths due to dengue since January 2024.

He added that the number of confirmed dengue cases was in the hundreds, while hundreds more were hospitalized in various public and private health facilities due to chikungunya.

However, he maintained that he was not aware of the presence of Zika virus in Karachi as they had not been officially informed of the presence of Zika virus in Pakistan. However, different health facilities have also reported cases of viral diseases but the dengue test results were negative.

The health department official’s remarks come at a time when, according to experts, the city is currently reeling from dengue and chikungunya diseases.

In addition, officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad also denied knowledge of the existence of the Zika virus, stressing that no laboratory or health agency has officially reported the existence of the virus to the NIH so far.