BackgroundCrimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a highly infectious zoonotic disease of humans transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. Earlier studies have shown CCHF seroprevalence in livestock throughout India, yet sporadic outbreaks have been recorded mostly from the Gujarat state of India since 2011. Occupational vulnerability to CCHF for animal handlers, veterinarians, abattoir workers, and healthcare workers has been documented. The current study was planned to determine the seroprevalence of CCHF with an intention to identify the high -risk population and high -risk areas from Gujarat state, India.MethodsBased on the socio-clinical data, the human population of Gujarat was divided into eight categories viz. A: CCHF affected person/house/close contact, B: Neighborhood contacts, C: Animal handlers, D: General population, E: Farmers, F: Abattoir workers, G: Veterinarian, H: Healthcare workers. A total of 4978 human serum samples were collected from 33 districts of Gujarat during year 2015, 2016 and 2017. All the samples were screened for the presence of anti-CCHFV IgG using indigenously developed anti-CCHFV IgG ELISA. Univariate regression analysis was performed to recognize significant risk factors for CCHF seropositivity.ResultsTwenty-five serum samples were found to be positive with an overall CCHF human seropositivity of 0.5% (95% CI 0.30–0.74%). Gender predisposition to CCHF prevalence was observed in males (OR: 2.80; p-value: 0.020). The risk for seropositivity increased sevenfold when a person was in contact or neighbor with a CCHF case (OR 7.02; p-value: < 0.0001). No significant difference in seropositivity was observed within different age groups. Veterinarians, healthcare workers, and control group were found to be seronegative for CCHF.ConclusionsIn-spite of CCHF sporadic outbreaks reported in Gujarat, the seropositivity for CCHF in the state was low as compared to other endemic countries. Males, close contacts and neighbors were identified as a high-risk population for CCHF infection. To recognize the high-risk area, tick screening and animal serosurvey would be a wiser choice. The study also suggests circulation and under diagnoses of CCHFV in the naïve regions of Gujarat.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease that causes a fatal hemorrhagic illness in humans. This disease is asymptomatic in animals. CCHF was first confirmed in a nosocomial outbreak in 2011 in Gujarat State. Another notifiable outbreak occurred in July, 2013, in Karyana Village, Amreli district, Gujarat State. Anti-CCHF virus (CCHFV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were detected in domestic animals from the adjoining villages of the affected area, indicating a considerable amount of positivity against domestic animals. The present serosurvey was carried out to determine the prevalence of CCHFV among bovine, sheep, and goat populations from 15 districts of Gujarat State, India. A total of 1226 serum samples from domestic animals were screened for IgG antibodies using a CCHF animal IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibodies were detected in all the 15 districts surveyed; with positivity of 12.09%, 41.21%, and 33.62% in bovine, sheep, and goat respectively. This necessitates the surveillance of CCHFV IgG antibodies in animals and hemorrhagic fever cases in human.

Background:Indoor residual spray (IRS), with appropriate insecticide, is an effective weapon for the control of malaria. Two rounds of indoor residual spray, with synthetic pyrethroid, are given in highly malaria endemic areas. It aims to prevent transmission of malaria by adult vector mosquitoes.Aims:To assess the impact of indoor residual spray in the highly malaria-endemic villages of Kalol taluka in Gandhinagar district.Design:High risk population for malaria, based on last three-year malaria situation.Setting:Malaria endemic rural areas in Gandhinagar district where indoor residual spray was undertaken with synthetic pyrethroid in 2006 and 2007.Study Variables:Exploratory - Rural areas; Outcome - coverage, acceptance.Analysis:Percentage and proportions.Results:Prior to the introduction of synthetic pyrethroid, in 2005, the annual parasitic incidence of the sprayed villages was 33.4. It came down to 8.8 in 2006. Continuation of this strategy in the same villages further brought down the annual parasitic incidence to 1.5 in 2007. A similar trend of steady decline was observed in actual numbers of cases and other malariometric indices as well.Conclusion:IRS, it still has a major role in the control of malaria if implemented with proper supervision, better coverage and community participation.

Background: Government of India has lunched the frame work for eliminating malaria from the country by 2030 [1] [2]. But progressive States like Gujarat has to achieve the target by 2024. The first step in this direction is to bring down the Annual Parasitic Incidence less than 1.0. Under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) various activities for Vector control coupled with complete treatment to confirm malaria cases within 24 hours were given more focus and implemented diligently and effectively. Aim: To evaluate the progress of the efforts being undertaken for malaria elimination in Gandhinagar district. Design: Impact of malaria control efforts in Gandhinagar district covering all areas were studied in detail. Setting: Malaria prone villages of Gandhinagar district where preventive actions were undertaken in an integrated manner during the period of 2005 to 2015. Exploratory: Data pertaining to rural and urban areas of the district covering all PHCs, UHCs and Towns were analyzed and interpreted. Outcome: Reduction in malaria incidence and scaling up of non chemical methods for control of malaria. Analysis: Percentage and proportions. Results: Area specific approach adopted in rural areas of Gandhinagar district by putting more emphasis on good surveillance, ensuring complete treatment to malaria cases within 24 hours and effective strategy for vector control mainly non chemical methods resulted in reducing Annual Parasitic Incidence (API) from 1.96 in 2005 to 0.17 in 2015 in Gandhinagar district. 226 villages (74.83%) out of 302 in the district are malaria free and only 9 villages are having API > 1.0. The district aims to achieve malaria elimination in the next five years. Conclusion: Gandhinagar district has made rapid stride towards malaria elimination in a