Researchers confirm presence of 'Zika virus' in Karachi

Researchers solved the mystery behind a dengue-like unknown virus in Karachi that had affected hundreds of people in the port city back in 2021.

In November 2021, two cases of the virus were detected in Karachi, and experts expressed fears outbreak of the virus but, no new case of the said virus has been detected yet.

“Investigators associated with the United World Antiviral Research Network at Agha Khan University, Karachi, had detected two cases of Zika virus in 2021,” said Dr. Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Principal Investigator of the UWARN study.

She said her network was researching the presence of different viruses, such as dengue, chikungunya, and hemorrhagic viruses.

Ms Iqbal noted that during research, her team found that 44 cases were enrolled with Arbovirus at a specific time, six of which were detected as NS1-negative with acute febrile illness, vomiting, and diarrhea.

“During our study, we confirmed the presence of the Zika virus in Pakistan, which had not been previously detected,” she said.

Dr. Faisal Mehmood, head of infectious diseases at AKU, said he was already aware of the presence of this virus in Karachi, and now it has been confirmed.

An official said, “Since January 2024, at least ten people have died due to the dengue virus in Karachi, while hundreds of dengue cases were reported and hundreds were diagnosed with Chikungunya from January to now.”

Officials of the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed ignorance about the presence of the Zika virus in the country, noting that no health institution or lab reported the presence of the virus.