Thailand admitted to have found at least 21 new cases of the Zika virus in Bangkok's Sathon central business district. The number of cases included a pregnant woman, who later gave birth without any complications, Thailand's public health ministry announced on Sunday morning.
The infected woman had contracted the virus in the 37th week of her pregnancy. Her symptoms included rashes, fever, joint pain and red-eyes.
"Of the 21 cases confirmed in the Sathon area there was one pregnant woman who recovered and gave birth successfully. Mother and newborn are safe. Her husband had recently returned from Singapore," Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Citing local media reports, Channel News Asia reported that about 20 other cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been detected in Bung Kan, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai and Phetchabun provinces of the country. However, the local authorities claimed that the control operations have been effective so far.
"There have been no deaths or complications so far (in Thailand), so I urge our brothers and sisters not to be alarmed," Suwannachai added.
Last week, Malaysia confirmed its first case of the Zika virus in a 27-year-old pregnant woman (who lived close to Singapore). In August, the island country of Singapore reported its first case of Zika infection and since then, the number of Zika patients has risen to more than 300, which included 13 Indians.
The Zika virus outbreak started in early 2015 in Brazil. The virus, which spreads through infected mosquito bite, has, since then, spread to the Americas. In the U.S. alone, about 2,500 people have been diagnosed with Zika and most of them have been infected while travelling overseas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is primarily concerned with the danger posed by the Zika virus in pregnant women. It causes microcephaly, a deformity which causes incomplete formation of the brain in new-born babies.
