The world is facing a new threat to public health as cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) continue to emerge, with recent outbreaks reported in Iraq, Namibia, Pakistan, and Spain. This deadly virus has been described as the current biggest threat to public health due to its severe nature and high fatality rate.
CCHF is caused by a tick-borne virus belonging to the Bunyaviridae family. It is endemic in various regions, including Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and certain parts of Asia. The disease spreads through the bite of infected ticks or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and after slaughter. People involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers, and veterinarians, are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
The symptoms of CCHF manifest suddenly and include fever, muscle aches, dizziness, neck and back pain, headache, sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, mood swings, confusion, and even organ failure. The mortality rate for CCHF is approximately 30%, and death usually occurs in the second week of illness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diagnosing CCHF involves various laboratory tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen detection, serum neutralisation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and virus isolation by cell culture. However, conducting these tests poses a significant biohazard risk and should only be done under strict containment conditions.
Currently, there is no widely available and approved vaccine for CCHF. Therefore, prevention efforts focus on raising awareness about the risk factors and educating individuals on measures to reduce exposure. This includes wearing protective clothing, using acaricides and repellents, regularly examining clothing and skin for ticks, and avoiding tick-infested areas. Preventing animal-to-human transmission involves proper handling of animals, quarantine measures, and pesticide treatment.
In healthcare settings, standard infection control precautions should be implemented to prevent the spread of CCHF. Health workers should practice good hand hygiene, use personal protective equipment, and follow safe injection and burial practices.
It is crucial for public health authorities and healthcare providers to remain vigilant and follow the recommended guidelines to control the spread of CCHF. The World Health Organization’s recommendations for Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever can serve as a valuable resource for infection control in CCHF cases.