14 cases of Zika virus have been detected in Kerala, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) confirmed. The state has now been put on alert. 

The first case of Zika virus in the state was that of a 24-year-old pregnant woman, who was diagnosed with the mosquito-transmitted disease on Thursday. 

19 more samples were tested by the institute, out of which 13 were found to be positive for Zika, the State government said on Friday.

According to the World Health Organization, Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. It is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.

Also Read: From a forest in Uganda to Kerala: The origin story of Zika virus

The virus was first detected in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys and was later identified in humans in the same country five years later. In 2015, a large outbreak of the Zika virus was declared in the Americas and the following year, the World Health Organization declared the spread of Zika virus a ‘public health emergency’.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that many people who are infected with the virus may not experience any special symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever, rashes, headache, joint pain, and red eyes. Some people also get malaria. 

The virus is, however, not deadly and most people recover even without getting hospitalised. 

Zika, just like other viruses, is communicable. It can be transmitted through a mosquito bite, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion and from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Friday that an action plan has been drawn up to control the spread of Zika. Pregnant women should get themselves tested if they have fever, the Minister said at a meeting of the District Medical Officers (DMOs).

The state is expecting to see more cases of the infection in the next few days.