THRISSUR: Kerala has reported its first case of Congo Fever. A UAE-returned man, who arrived in Kerala last week, presented with the pre-existing conditions of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), which is caused by a tick-borne virus. The man is currently undergoing treatment at a private medical institution in Thrissur.

The man was diagnosed with the disease in the UAE, where he was undergoing treatment. He reached Kerala three days ago to continue the treatment.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is caused by nairovirus, which is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. People working or involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians, have often contracted the fever.

The 30-year-old man, who is a native of Malappuram, worked at an abattoir in the UAE. This disease is the result of an occupational hazard. Along with this man, three others, including a veterinary surgeon.

The man went to a nearby hospital in UAE on November 15 following fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. He was diagnosed with CCHF and was administered the antiviral drug, ribavirin. On completing the course, he was discharged on November 27, although he tested positive for CCHF.

The man reached Cochin International Airport on November 29. On his way to Malappuram, he experienced a severe headache and reached the private hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. After he informed the hospital authorities that he was diagnosed with the fever, we immediately isolated him the same day and advised all staff members to do barrier nursing.

The patient is being administered ribavirin and samples of his blood have been sent to Pune and Manipal. “If tested positive, we will continue to place the patient in isolation until he is completely treated,” say doctors

Also, 20 other persons, who came into contact with the man, including the cab driver and some hospital authorities, have been enlisted and are being monitored twice a day.

Doctors said that being an arboviral or an arthropod-borne, CCHF is an animal disease, which is transmitted from one animal to another through a tick. And human-to-human transmission can happen due to close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.

Precautionary measures

1) Health workers should wear mask and gloves while tending to the patient in an isolated room.
2) The patient’s urine, faeces, sputum and vomit should be disinfected before taking them outside the room.

Congo Fever

Russian scientists first detected the disease in in Crimea in 1944. More than 200 soldiers were affected. In 1969, the disease was found in Congo after which it came to be known as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

In 2002- 2008, 3128 got infected in Turkey.

In India the first three deaths occurred in Gujarat and this was reported in January 2011. In Kerala this was the second occurrence of the disease. The first case was spotted in Pathanamthitta in 2011.

Symptoms
Severe fever, Stomach pain, back pain, muscle pain and eye irritation.