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Two die of Congo fever in Jodhpur: Health department

JAIPUR: Fear of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has gripped Jodhpur as the health department on Wednesday confirmed two persons succumbed to the disease. So far, three persons have tested positive for the fever in Jodhpur— two of them died while one of them is cured.


“National Institute of Virology (NIV) has confirmed that two samples sent to them have tested positive.

They have died of the disease. One was tested positive earlier,” said Raghu Sharma on Wednesday after a meeting on ‘Right to Health’ held at health directorate.

The situation is extremely worrisome as three cases belonged to three different places. The first case was a resident of Molana Abdul Kalam Nagar, the second case was reported from opposite area of Jodhpur, Borunda, while the third case was a resident of Jaisalmer . Congo virus is transmitted through bite of infected hyalomma tick.

However, the health department officials are conducting surveys in affected areas along with department of animal husbandry, which is conducting spraying of cypermethrin to kill ticks on livestocks. The plight is that the report of test from NIV was received by the health department when two patients were already dead while undergoing treatment at AIIMS in Jodhpur. Among those died of CCHF is a 40-year-old woman, resident of Borunda, Jodhpur. She was admitted to AIIMS, Jodhpur on September 4 with complaint of fever. Her blood samples were sent to NIV on September 7. The health department received the report mentioning that she has tested positive for CCHF on September 9. But, she died two days before the health department received the report of her being tested positive for CCHF.

The second death was reported from AIIMS, Jodhpur. The health department report shows that 18-year-old boy is a resident of Daav village of Jaisalmer. The report claimed that he was a patient of rheumatic heart disease. He was admitted to AIIMS on August 18. His blood samples were sent for test at NIV on September 7. The department received the report on September 10 showing that he had been tested positive for CCHF. But, on the same day of receiving the report, the patient died. The report claimed he had a history of travelling to Gujarat where cases of CCHF have reported in increased numbers. Following two deaths, the health department has swung into action and directed the officials to remain alert. “Across the state, directions have been issued to remain alert on CCHF,” said Sharma.

The first case of CCHF was reported on September 31, when NIV confirmed that a 32-year-old person, resident of Molana Abdul Kalam Nagar was tested positive for CCHF. After taking treatment in Jodhpur for some time, he rushed to Ahmedabad, where he underwent treatment. “The patient is fine and he has returned to Jodhpur. There were two children in his home, who were also suffering from fever, were also tested negative for CCHF,” said the health minister.

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