Amid a rise in waterborne diseases such as typhoid across Gujarat, the state has reported its first case of Congo haemorrhagic fever, a rare but serious viral infection transmitted from animals to humans. The patient is a 26-year-old cattle farmer from Pindarda village in Gandhinagar district.
The man had been suffering from high fever and other symptoms for several days and was admitted to a private hospital. Doctors collected samples and sent them to a national reference laboratory in Pune, where tests confirmed Congo haemorrhagic fever.
Following the confirmation, Gandhinagar district health authorities activated taluka- and district-level response teams. A detailed investigation was carried out at the patient’s home and cattle shed.
Health officials conducted door-to-door surveys covering 237 households and placed 1,034 villagers under medical surveillance. Two medical teams have been deployed in Pindarda village for continuous monitoring.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department inspected the village and the patient’s cattle shed, administering preventive medicines to around 600 cows and other animals. The cattle shed and nearby areas were disinfected through spraying to reduce the risk of further spread.
As part of containment measures, the district animal husbandry department has also set up a temporary animal shelter in the village.
Authorities are examining recent developments at the patient’s farm, including the construction of a new cattle shed and the recent purchase of cows brought in from Rajasthan, to determine the possible source of infection.