No clue to mystery fever in Dakshina Kannada

SULLIA: The district health authorities have not yet been able to pinpoint the cause of the mysterious viral fever which surfaced near Guthigaru here, claiming one life and affecting as many as 27 people.
The doctor of a hospital in Mangalore said, according to diagnosis done, the probable cause was ‘viral meningo encephalytis.’ As of now, the Guthigaru PHC personnel have taken 37 blood samples, of which 10 have been sent to the Viral Diagnostic Lab in Shimoga to test for Kyasanoor Forest Disease, nine to Victoria Hospital, Bangalore, to test for Japanese encephalytis and others for dengue to Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore.
He said tests at Mangalore had ruled out dengue and the reports from Bangalore and Shimoga were expected by Saturday, following which accurate treatment could be started. The mysterious fever has affected 10 per cent of the population in Charmatha and Nadugalu areas of Guthigaru PHC sub-centre.
These are small hamlets, the combined population of which is about 486 (105 families). Dr Srirangappa, taluk health officer, told The Times of India, they had received the first case about a fortnight ago, though the first incident was reported a month ago.
He said most of the cases were treated at private hospitals as it was perceived to be normal viral fever. “When the cases went up and patients started having relapses, they were brought to Sullia Community Health Centre,’’ he said.
Giving details of symptoms, the doctor said patients have high fever, followed by chills and rigours. The fever subsides after symptomatic treatment, but relapses after a week with severe headache followed by vomiting, which if not treated on time, leads to complications.
Referring to the case of Nagaveni (48) from Charmatha, who died due to fever a few days ago, Dr Srirangappa said he had not treated the patient.
Nagaveni was first taken to a private hospital and after developing complications was shifted to Mangalore. Dr Srirangappa denied initial reports that it was dengue, saying that a local laboratory had misdiagnosed the blood sample. The second sample taken by health authorities tested negative for dengue.
Dr Srirangappa suspects that the fever may be transmitted by animals (like the monkey disease also known as Kyasanoor Forest Disease) as most of the affected lived in the vicinity of the forest. He has advised patients not to panic if the fever recurs, but to get treatment. Incidentally, this area was in news last year also due to dengue.
Extensive fogging operations were taken up and people were educated on combating the disease. Fogging operations have been taken up this time round.
The health officials have opened a treatment centre at Nadugallu school with two doctors and additional staff to monitor the health of the population in the two villages as well as surrounding areas.