Kerala - suspected Hantavirus fatality

[Ronan Kelly]

Suspected Hantavirus Death in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM | JAN 31, 2014

A suspected case of Hantavirus, a viral infection transmitted by rodents, claimed a life in Kerala recently, officials said today.

Forty three-year-old Madhu, a rubber tapping worker hailing from Nedumangadu near here who died on January 14, was detected with the airborne infection in the preliminary laboratory tests.

However, a senior scientist of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here, where the deceased's blood samples were examined, said, the infection could be confirmed only after gene sequencing and further analysis.

"His blood sample was IgM positive for hanta. This is a probable case of hantavirus infection. But, we can confirm this only after PCR testing and gene sequencing," R Radhakrishnan, Head of Laboratory Medicines and Molecular Diagnosis, RGCB, told PTI.
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http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=827120

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Kerala - suspected Hantavirus fatality

Kerala’s first Hantavirus death reported in capital

Updated :S&Skseditor | 2014-01-31 | 15:16:06

Thiruvanathapuram: One person has been reported dead in Thiruvanathapuram due to Hantavirus. This virus is the one that is transmitted by rat fleas and is one of the most potent viral infections that has been identified. This is the first time Kerala is witnessing such an incident.

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In 2002, a death in Kochi was ascribed to Hantavirus fever, but it hadn't been confirmed. The health administrative personnel weren't able to make the confirmation. A 43-year-old man from Nedumangadu was admitted in the Medical College hospital in December. For a detailed examination, the blood samples were sent to Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology Dec 17.

Later, a sample test confirmed Hantavirus fever. It was found that the infection had worsened on Jan 6 and the man died in the first week of January.
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http://www.seeandsay.in/english/view.php?menu=172&cat=india&id=2378