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CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

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CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.

  • The virus that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is found in a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle.
  • Many birds are resistant to the infection except ostrich which may be susceptible and may show a high prevalence of infection in endemic areas.
  • Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is prevalent in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia.
  • Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan documented more than 50 cases in 2013.
  • The fatality rate among those infected is between 10 and 40%.

CAUSES

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic virus is spread to people by tick bites or contact with livestock carrying the disease.

Livestock becomes infected by the bites of infected ticks, leaving the virus in their bloodstream for about one week after infection. A human can get the virus when they come in contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter.

Human-human transmission can also occur as a result of close contacts with bodily fluid such as blood, secretion, organs of an infected person.

Hospital-acquired infection may occur as a result of improper sterilization of medical equipment, contamination of medical supplies, and reuse of needles.

The mode of acquisition of the virus determines the incubation period.

The incubation period following infection by a tick bite is usually one to three days, with a maximum of 9 days.

Following contact with infected blood or tissues, the incubation period is usually five to six days, with a maximum of 13 days.

Risk factors may include:

People at highest risks include farmers, animal workers, livestock workers, and slaughterhouse workers that stay in endemic areas

Individuals and travelers with contact to livestock in endemic areas may be exposed.

SYMPTOMS

  • Sudden fever
  • A backache
  • Dizziness
  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sore eyes
  • A headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • A sore throat
  • Abdominal pain
  • Enlarged lymph node
  • Fast heart rate
  • A rash caused by bleeding into the skin

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Several laboratory tests are used to make a diagnosis, they may include:

  • Virus isolation by cell culture
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
  • Antigen detection
TREATMENT

Treatment includes general supportive care with treatment of symptoms.

The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used in treating the condition. It has been used in the treatment of patients reportedly with s