Duttona fever is a rare viral fever caused by the Duttona virus, a member of the Phlebovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family. This infectious disease is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sand flies, specifically from the genus Phlebotomus. The virus can also be transmitted through blood transfusions from infected individuals.
Symptoms of Duttona fever typically manifest within 3 to 14 days of exposure. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes. In some cases, affected individuals may develop more severe complications, such as hemorrhagic manifestations, encephalitis, or meningitis.
Although cases of Duttona fever are relatively rare, it is endemic to certain regions in Africa, including Sudan, Uganda, and Central African Republic. The disease tends to occur in rural and agricultural areas, where sand flies thrive.
There is currently no specific antiviral treatment available for Duttona fever, so management mainly focuses on relieving symptoms and providing supportive care. Prevention strategies include using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and sleeping in bed nets to avoid sand fly bites. Additionally, implementing control measures to reduce sand fly populations, such as insecticide spraying, is also important in endemic areas.
Due to the limited number of reported cases and the overlap of symptoms with other febrile illnesses, laboratory testing is crucial to confirm the presence of Duttona fever.
