Mumabi Congo fever victim’s samples sent to National Institute of Virology

With no significant development in Sampatraj Jain’s condition, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) is going to test the samples sent by Kasturba Hospital for 7-8 viruses causing viral haemorrhagic fever.

The 48-year-old Bhiwandi resident was shifted from Jaslok Hospital to Kasturba Hospital on Friday morning after doctors found that the clinical symptoms indicated viral haemorrhagic fever.

Dr Om Shrivastav, infectious diseases consultant, Jaslok Hospital, said, “There is no doubt that he has viral haemorrhagic fever. The virus can be the Congo virus, as in the cases detected in Ahmedabad. But chances of it being hanta virus, which spreads through rodents, are more as it affects the kidney and liver.”

According to the Jaslok Hospital doctors, Jain had high fever and was disoriented. His MRI scan revealed bleeding in the brain. His kidney and liver were deranged. “Jain had not come in direct contact with livestock. So Congo fever is unlikely,” said Dr Pratit Samdhani, physician, Jaslok Hospital.

Doctors say that all viral haemorrhagic fevers are highly infectious and fatal. Jain’s family members, along with 47 employees of Jaslok Hospital and Dr Samdhani who treated him, are on medication.

The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune that is flooded with serum samples from across the states after the outbreak of the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Gujarat, has said there is no need to panic.

Dr AC Mishra, NIV director, told DNA that all the samples except those of Gujarat have tested negative so far. “There is lot of panic in the air due to this outbreak but there is no cause of concern. Samples are coming from all other states as well which we are testing. People are suggested to maintain hygiene in order to avoid this infection,” he said.

The state government’s health and animal husbandry department, along with the civic body, on Friday issued an advisory for veterinary doctors and people handling cattle. Bhushan Gagrani, public health secretary said, “We have asked the corporation to take samples of animals and person infected and send it immediately to NIV.”