Five more new Zika virus cases have been reported in Kerala. The five people who tested positive were aged 38, 17, 26, 12, and 37. With this, the total number of cases has increased to 56, of which 8 cases are active. The virus was confirmed in tests conducted at the virology lab of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The health minister informed that the patients are stable.

The first case of the mosquito-borne viral infection in the state was confirmed on July 8 in a 24-year-old pregnant woman. The most common symptoms of the Zika virus are mild fever and edema. Some people may also experience redness in the eyes, muscle aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can last from two to seven days. As part of efforts to reduce the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, the government has intensified preventive activities, including fogging for the next few days and setting up a control room.