On Thursday, 5 more people have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection in Kerala. With this, the total number of cases has increased to 28. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said a cluster of Zika virus has been identified within a three-kilometer radius of Anayara in Thiruvananthapuram. They were confirmed after tests at the National Institute of Virology’s regional center in Alapuzha, said the minister.

A 24-year-old pregnant woman in Thiruvananthapuram was the first to be detected with the Zika virus this year. Later, she gave birth to a baby. The mother and baby are stable now. While the caseload of COVID-19 continues to be increasing in the state, the Zika cases went up to 28 in one week. The state government was taking steps for the extermination of mosquitoes such as fogging in the area to prevent its spread to other places. A control room has been set up at the district medical office in the wake of the Zika virus outbreak in Thiruvananthapuram. Preventive operations and awareness campaigns among the people have also started in the state.