Situations of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to study situations of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province. ZIKV infection in pregnant women has a major concern because of its linkage to congenital abnormalities including microcephaly, spontaneous abortion, and intrauterine growth restriction. Laplae District has outbreak of ZIKV since June-July 2022, with 24 confirmed cases, the highest in Uttaradit province.Collecting blood and urine samples frompregnant women and testing of specimens by ZIKAV reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),according to the criteria for surveillance and investigation of ZIKA infection. The results showed that, 121pregnancy women who tested for ZIKV with 85.95% (121 of 104 were tested) and 12 were PCR positive for ZIKV (11.21%). The most age range was 21-30 years (50.00%) and gestational age at ZIKV infection was 28 weeks (25%). Among the pregnant women with confirmed ZIKV infection in these studies were asymptomatic (83.33%), rash (16.67%) and fever (8.34%) respectively. These results supported to surveillance for pregnant women in an epidemic area of ZIKV infection. Due to most ZIKV infected pregnant women are often no symptoms or mild, a laboratory confirmation of the infection is required for treatment. Because of ZIKV infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and need for special care under the pediatrician.