ISLAMABAD: Pakistani researchers have identified the Zika virus as the cause behind a mysterious illness that affected hundreds of people in Karachi back in 2021, marking the first confirmed presence of Zika in Pakistan.
Dr. Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Principal Investigator of the United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN), told a local newspaper that the investigation conducted at Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi detected Zika virus cases during an outbreak of an unidentified viral illness. The findings were later confirmed through metagenomics analysis at the Gale Lab, University of Washington in Seattle.
“We have confirmed the presence of Zika virus in Pakistan, which had not been previously detected,” stated Dr. Talat, referring to a study involving patients with acute viral illnesses across AKU wards, outpatient clinics, and physician referrals.
The investigation commenced after reports in November 2021 of a dengue-like disease spreading in Karachi, characterized by symptoms such as fever, reduced platelets, and white blood cell count, although patients tested negative for dengue virus.
The UWARN study, spanning multiple countries including Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, Brazil, and Taiwan, further verified the presence of Zika virus through serology and PCR tests, identifying single and mixed infections of Zika and Dengue in 2021 and 2022.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zika virus is primarily transmitted via Aedes mosquitoes’ bite. While most infected persons remain asymptomatic, some may experience symptoms such as rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache lasting from two to seven days.
Dr. Faisal Mehmood, Head of Infectious Disease at AKU, acknowledged the confirmation of Zika virus circulation in Karachi’s environment, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with UWARN for active surveillance of arboviruses like dengue and chikungunya.
Meanwhile, officials from the Sindh Health Department reported a surge in vector-borne illnesses in Karachi, with hundreds of dengue and chikungunya cases reported weekly and at least 10 fatalities due to dengue fever since January 2024.
