Core Programme Clusters

Communicable Diseases and Disease Surveillance

Outbreaks Febrile Illness 2004

Outbreak Report – Febrile Illness in Uttrakashi, Uttaranchal

Situation Report: 28.10.2004

DISEASE/ SYNDROME: Acute febrile ilness

DISTRICT & STATE:  Uttrakashi District, Uttaranchal

DATE OF ONSET:  8 October 2004

REPORTED BY & DATE OF REPORTING: Chief Medical Officer, Uttarkashi district on 18.10.2004

LOCATION:  Dangru Village, near Ranachatti Town, Uttarkashi district

Current Situation:

As per the updated information received from the Chief Medical Officer of Uttarkashi district, no new cases of acute febrile illness with lymphadenopathy have occurred in the affected Dangru village of Uttarkashi district in Uttaranchal after 18.10.2004 (total of 8 cases and 3 deaths as on 28.10.2004). The episode has been investigated by the central team from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Entomological investigation has not revealed the significant presence of fleas but mites and ticks have been found in the affected area.

Laboratory Information:

Blood culture from the initial 2 patients who weer shifted and admitted at the Coronation Hospital In Dehradun and bubo-aspirate culture from one of these cases were negative for Y.pestis. Direct smear examination of the bubo-aspirate (by gram stain, Wayson’s stain and Direct Fluorescent antibody testing) and results of serology also were not suggestive for the presence of Y.pestis. from samples of this one patient. Weil-Felix test for rickettsial infection was negative in this patient. The central team collected 7 serum samples from cases of febrile illness from the affected area and 7 serum samples from animals. All were negative for serological evidence of Y.pestis infection. Results of the Weil-Felix test were inconclusive on one human and one animal sample each. Two members of the central team are stationed in the affected area to collect second sample

CONTACT DETAILS & LAST UPDATED:

SOURCE:  Chief MedicalOfficer, Uttarkashi district via Office of the WHO Representative to India