Pune: The Zika virus threat in Pune has escalated, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 52 and four patients succumbing to the infection. The Public Health Department has formed a committee to investigate these deaths to ascertain the precise causes.

The highest number of Zika cases, 11, have been reported in the Erandwane area. This is followed by 10 cases in the Dahanukar Colony area.

Other cases are distributed as follows: Kharadi 6, Pashan 5, Mundhwa and Sukhsagarnagar 4 each, Ambegaon Budruk and Ghole Road 3 each, Kallas 2, and one each in Dhankawadi, Lohegaon, Dhole-Patil Road, and Wanawadi.

Three new cases were reported on Thursday in Gujarat Colony in Kothrud, Shivaji Chowk in Kharadi, and Mangalwadi on Senapati Bapat Road.

A 68-year-old patient from Gujarat Colony in Kothrud has died, with his Zika test results coming back positive. He died due to organ failure. A 78-year-old patient from Athashree Society in Baner has also died, with preliminary reports indicating a heart attack as the cause.

Additionally, a 76-year-old patient from Erandwane and a 72-year-old patient from Kharadi have died. These patients had co-morbidities and were being treated in private hospitals. Posthumous tests confirmed they were Zika-positive, according to Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation.

Dr. Devkar stated, "So far, four patients infected with Zika have died. These patients had co-morbidities. Their medical reports will be sent to the State Health Department. Following this, the department's death review committee will determine the exact cause of death."