Virology: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Sample item

A slaughterhouse worker in Gujarat has fever, petechiae and haematemesis. A nurse who looked after him develops a similar illness. Which agent is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is caused by a nairovirus (family Nairoviridae) and is spread by Hyalomma ticks and by contact with blood of infected livestock. Nosocomial spread to health-care workers is well documented, and outbreaks have occurred in Gujarat. Diagnosis is by RT-PCR with strict biosafety precautions.

Option by option

  • A. Japanese encephalitis virus

    Japanese encephalitis causes encephalitis and does not spread from person to person.

  • B. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (correct)

    Correct. Livestock contact and nosocomial transmission point to this tick-borne virus.

  • C. Dengue virus

    Dengue is mosquito-borne and does not spread to nurses by patient contact.

  • D. Kyasanur forest disease virus

    Kyasanur forest disease is linked to forests and monkeys in the Western Ghats and not to slaughterhouses.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is caused by a nairovirus (family Nairoviridae) and is spread by Hyalomma ticks and by contact with blood of infected livestock.

Why is "Japanese encephalitis virus" not the answer?

Japanese encephalitis causes encephalitis and does not spread from person to person.

Why is "Dengue virus" not the answer?

Dengue is mosquito-borne and does not spread to nurses by patient contact.

Why is "Kyasanur forest disease virus" not the answer?

Kyasanur forest disease is linked to forests and monkeys in the Western Ghats and not to slaughterhouses.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Microbiology. Nosocomial spread to health-care workers is well documented, and outbreaks have occurred in Gujarat. Diagnosis is by RT-PCR with strict biosafety precautions.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.