Another woman in Gujarat died due to infection of deadly Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in a government-run hospital in the wee hours on 28th August, taking the toll of such deaths to three.

Amuben (25), resident of Kamlej village in Bhavnagar died in government-run Sir T Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital with fever on August 22. Her blood report from the National Institute Of Virology in Pune confirmed it to be a case of Congo fever. Almost a week ago, two women Lilaben Sindhav (age not known) and Sukhiben K Meniya (75), both residents of Jamadi village under Limbadi taluka of Surendranagar district had died of Congo fever.

At least nine people including two doctors and two para medics were under treatment for symptoms of the Congo fever. These also include another women of the Jamadi village. In Kutch and Saurashtra area, some cases of Congo fever which is caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family, were reported earlier on. The CCHF virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever. The virus can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infectious blood or body fluids.

Treatment for CCHF is primarily supportive. Care should include careful attention to fluid balance and correction of electrolyte abnormalities, oxygenation and hemodynamic support, and appropriate treatment of secondary infections. The virus is sensitive in vitro to the antiviral drug ribavirin.