Researchers concerned over Zika virus ‘cluster’ in Bangladesh

“We are just testing samples at a diagnostic centre. That means we have more cases here," the lead researcher says

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, or ICDDR,B, has detected the first “cluster” of Zika virus in Bangladesh.

The patients with Zika virus were first detected in a test conducted by the ICDDR,B scientists in 2023.

An article on the results of the test was published on the ICDDR,B website on Monday.

According to the report, the test was held on the samples from a total of 152 patients.

In addition to fever, they had other symptoms tied to the virus.

Among them, five men were diagnosed with Zika infection, all of whom are residents of Dhaka's Mohakhali area.

Explaining the cause for calling the detection of the five cases a “cluster”, lead researcher Shafiul Alam told bdnews24.com on Monday night: "These five patients are residents of Dhaka’s Mohakhali area. They all live within a mile of each other.

“They had no history of foreign travel in the two years prior to their detection. That's why it's called a cluster that means they were infected domestically."

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease.

Like dengue and chikungunya, it spreads by two types of Aedes mosquitoes.

SYMPTOMS OF ZIKA

>> One out of every five patients shows symptoms of mild fever, redness or rash in the eyes, headache, joint pain, and skin disease.

>> In rare cases, the affected person may also suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, which can cause temporary paralysis or "nervous system disorder”.

>> There is no vaccine or medicine for this virus. In most cases, patients are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Shafiul said they found several patients in a certain area, which signals it’s a local infection.

"If there are so many cases in such a narrow place, it means the infection is going on, but we don't know.

“We are just testing samples at a diagnostic centre. That means we have more cases here."

He said there is a fear of getting more patients infected with the Zika virus.

"The symptoms of the patients in ‘our’ country are similar to those of dengue. That's why nobody cares.

"But it can rise. Infection with the virus can increase the risk of developing GBS. We do not yet have information on pregnant women being infected."

According to the ICDDR,B, as many as 11 cases of Zika virus were reported in Bangladesh in December 2024.