WHO reports 151 Zika cases in India in 2024; urges mosquito control and surveillance vigilance
A WHO Disease Outbreak News update said India reported 151 Zika virus disease cases during 2024 across Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra (with most in Maharashtra), and outlined transmission routes and public health measures focused on surveillance, vector control and risk communication.
WHO update summarises India’s 2024 Zika situation
The World Health Organization (WHO), in a Disease Outbreak News update dated 29 January 2025, reported that India recorded 151 Zika virus disease (ZVD) cases between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The cases were reported from three states—Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra—through India’s surveillance systems.
According to the WHO summary, Maharashtra accounted for the majority of cases (140), while Karnataka reported ten and Gujarat reported one. As of 31 December 2024, the update said no cases of microcephaly and/or Guillain–Barré syndrome associated with this outbreak had been reported.
How Zika spreads and why prevention is multi-layered
WHO notes that Zika virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The agency also lists additional transmission routes, including from mother to fetus during pregnancy, sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and possible transmission through organ transplantation.
Because Aedes mosquitoes also transmit other diseases, public health responses typically combine mosquito control, community risk communication and case detection. These measures aim to reduce breeding sites, prevent bites and ensure timely identification of clusters, especially in urban areas where Aedes mosquitoes can thrive.
Why the 2024 data still matters in 2026
Even though the WHO update covers 2024 reporting (published in January 2025), it remains relevant for 2026 planning because Zika risk can recur seasonally where Aedes mosquitoes are present. Health systems use such summaries to adjust surveillance intensity, antenatal screening awareness and vector-control operations ahead of warmer and wetter months.
For the public, the practical takeaway remains consistent: avoid mosquito bites (especially during peak Aedes activity), eliminate stagnant water around homes and communities, and seek medical advice if symptoms occur—particularly for pregnant people or those planning pregnancy in areas reporting transmission.