KURNOOL : Incidence of fever due to unknown virus in several parts of the district poses a challenge to health administration. Over 50,000 persons have been affected by the disease in the villages of Sanjamala, Chagalamarri, Owk and Kodumur mandals.

Severe fever followed by acute joint and muscle pains are the symptoms of the infection. Fever persists for three days and pains for seven days or more depending upon the resistance of the patient.

The infection did not cause any death but subjected patients to severe inconvenience. The disease has affected mostly adults while the number of children who are infected is negligible.

Special camps

The District Medical and Health Department is running special camps in the affected villages.

The disease appeared to have subsided in the villages of Sanjamala and Chagalamarri but is reported in Pyalakurthi near Kodumur.

Apart from Kurnool, the disease broke out in Cuddapah, Chittoor, Guntur, Nalgonda and Twin Cities so far. A team of scientists from the National Institute of Virology visited the affected villages and collected blood samples. The diagnosis is expected in a week.

Treatment

The symptomatic treatment comprises administering of anti-biotic and pain killers to provide relief to the patient.

According to District Malaria Officer Narahari, about 350 blood smears of affected people have so far been examined but none of them tested positive for malaria.

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