Two people tested positive for the Zika virus in a primary test on Tuesday for the first time in Chattogram.
The two patients 鈥� a man and a woman both aged 42 鈥� underwent blood tests at a private lab that indicated the presence of the virus.
Dr Mohammad Towhidul Anwar, deputy civil surgeon of Chattogram, said that the male patient showed symptoms such as fever, body aches and skin rashes while the female patient experienced fever, joint pain and swelling.
鈥楾he initial test was conducted using a combined diagnostic kit that can detect multiple viruses,鈥� Dr Anwar said, adding, 鈥楾herefore, additional confirmatory tests are necessary.鈥�
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research has been informed and further actions will depend on its guidelines and final test results, he mentioned.
Dr Jahangir Alam also said that the cases were detected at Epic Healthcare, a private diagnostic lab in the city. 鈥榃e have already collected detailed information about the patients and will begin providing medical care and take necessary precautions starting Tuesday.鈥�
Zika virus was first detected in Bangladesh in 2014.
