Researchers to study virus impact on pregnancy in Zika +ve mothers

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune will study the impact of Zika virus on pregnancy and birth outcomes in Zika-positive mothers post the virus outbreak reported in Pune district last year, experts said on Thursday.

- Vicky Pathare

PUNE:

The cohort study titled, 'Pregnancy and Birth outcomes after Maternal Zika Virus Infection in Pregnancy during an outbreak in Pune district' will also include individuals above 18 years of age who have had a confirmed Zika virus infection in the past nine months as well as those who are currently infected with the virus.

The research team includes principal investigator Dr Pradnya V Shinde, co-PI; Dr Gajanan Sapkal; and Dr Gururaj Rao Deshpande - all scientists from the Diagnostic Virology Group of NIV. The cohort study will begin immediately and continue for a period of eight months. During the study, expecting or new mothers and individuals infected with the Zika virus, along with potential effects on babies born to mothers infected with the Zika virus in Pune during the Zika outbreak from June to September 2024 will be studied.

A video conference was held on Wednesday with the NIV scientists, public health department officials and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) during which the health department was directed to cooperate with the NIV scientists for the study.