Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), an infection carried by ticks, has been around since 1944 and is found in various areas such as eastern Europe, China, the Middle East, and Africa. CCHF virus is transmitted to people through tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and after slaughter; it can be spread from person to person from contact with blood, bodily fluids, and organs of infected people or through improper sterilization of medical equipment. An array of wild and domesticated animals can become hosts to this virus, especially in areas plagued by the genus Hyalomma tick. The sudden onset of CCHF comes with signs and symptoms including high fever, joint pain, vomiting, stomach pain, and headache. Throughout the illness, people infected with CCHF may experience nosebleeds, uncontrolled bleeding, and severe bruising. Diagnosing CCHF is done through laboratory testing; however, testing presents a biohazard risk and should be conducted using biological containment measures. There are currently no vaccines or therapeutics to combat CCHF but supportive care with treatment of symptoms is an approach used to treat CCHF patients. Reducing the risk of infection plays an integral role in prevention of CCHF and includes, but is not limited to, precautions such as wearing protective clothing, control tick infestations, avoiding physical contact with CCHF-infected people, and using proper infection control precautions to prevent exposure in health care workers.
Maegan Traveler is an Education Specialist for Education and Institutional Preparedness for the SPECTRE Program.
Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/crimean-congo/diagnosis/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalomma
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/crimean-congo-haemorrhagic-fever