Relief as Congo fever suspect's test is negative

Two days after Sampat Jain showed clinical symptoms of the rare and fatal Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), doctors at Kasturba Hospital said his tests were negative.

The Jain family who were waiting for the results from NIV-Pune were obviously relieved. "We expected the reports to be negative but we had to do as the doctors told us to," said one of the family members.



Sampat's son Mahavir (see pic) said he was glad his father was not a victim of the disease but he was worried as he is still in a critical state. "He doesn't suffer from the fatal fever but he is still very critical."

BMC's executive health officer Dr GT Ambe confirmed the results being negative and denied any spread of Congo fever in the city.

He added, "Now, the patient's family can decide whether they want to keep him at Kasturba or take him to some other hospital."