Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said that two people have died due to Zika virus infection. The results of the samples of the patients were received after their death on Thursday and they confirmed the infection. The deceased patients include a 68-year-old man from Kothrud and a 78-year-old man from Baner, both of whom died while undergoing treatment in private hospitals.

According to a Free Press Journal report, one of the deceased was from Kothrud and was admitted to Sanjivan Hospital on July 19 and died on July 22. His samples were sent to NIV on July 17 and the report received on July 31 confirmed Zika virus infection. The second deceased from Baner was admitted to AIIMS hospital on Aundh Nagar Road on July 21 and died on July 26. His samples were sent to NIV on July 21 and tested positive for the virus infection on July 30.

According to PMC, five new cases of Zika virus have been reported, including two deceased and two pregnant women. With this, the total number of Zika virus cases in Pune has gone up to 52. One of them is a 27-year-old pregnant woman from Manikbaug, who is 21 weeks pregnant. She had tested positive on July 30 and her anomaly scan report is normal. Another 31-year-old pregnant woman, a resident of Senapati Bapat Road, has tested positive. The fifth case is of a 72-year-old man from Kharari.

Here’s why the elderly are more likely to have severe symptoms of Zika virus.

Weak immune system

As people get older, their immune systems become less effective against infections. This decline in immune function makes the elderly more vulnerable to severe symptoms if they become infected with Zika.

Pre-existing health conditions

Older people are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions. These pre-existing conditions can increase the severity of Zika virus symptoms and complicate the management of Zika virus infection.

Decreased physical flexibility

Aging affects the body’s ability to cope with stresses and recover from illnesses. Older people often have less physical resilience, which means their bodies may struggle more to cope with and recover from Zika virus infection.

Delayed diagnosis

Zika virus symptoms in the elderly may be masked by other age-related conditions or may be less likely to be recognised due to atypical presentations. This delay in diagnosis may result in delayed treatment, which can lead to more severe outcomes.

Risk of complications

Elderly patients are at greater risk for complications from the infection, such as secondary infections or worsening of an existing condition. These complications may increase the severity of Zika virus symptoms.

Decrease in physical reserves

Older people often have less physical capacity and a slower recovery time. This decrease makes it more difficult for their bodies to handle the stress of infection and recover fully, seriously impacting their overall health.

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