Amna Noreen
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), also known as Congo virus, is a tick-borne viral disease that can cause severe bleeding, organ failure and death in humans. The virus is transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma genus, which feed on livestock and wild animals. Humans can get infected by direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, or by bites of infected ticks. The disease has a fatality rate of 10-40%, depending on the availability of treatment and supportive care.
The symptoms of CCHF usually appear within one to three days after exposure, and may include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat and bleeding from the nose, gums, skin or internal organs. Some people may also experience mood swings, confusion, agitation or coma. The disease can be diagnosed by laboratory tests that detect the virus or its antibodies in blood or tissue samples. The treatment for CCHF consists of supportive care and antiviral drugs such as ribavirin.
CCHF is endemic in many regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In Pakistan, the first case of CCHF was reported in 1976 in Karachi, and since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in different parts of the country, especially in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab provinces. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Pakistan reported 356 confirmed cases of CCHF from January 2014 to May 2020, with 72 deaths.
However, in recent months, there has been a surge in CCHF cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province bordering Afghanistan. According to health officials, eight cases have been confirmed in KP since June 2023, with one death reported. The deceased was an Afghan national who died at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar on July 8. Three other patients are undergoing treatment at HMC, and one at Khyber Teaching Hospital. The rest have been discharged after recovery.
The rise in CCHF cases in KP has raised concerns among health authorities and the public, especially as the province prepares for Eid-ul-Azha, a religious festival that involves the sacrifice of animals. During this time, the risk of exposure to infected animals and ticks increases, as people buy, transport and slaughter animals without proper precautions. Moreover, the influx of animals and people from neighboring Afghanistan, where CCHF is also prevalent, may pose an additional challenge for disease surveillance and control.
To prevent and control the spread of CCHF in KP, health officials have advised people to take preventive measures such as wearing gloves and masks when handling animals or their products, avoiding contact with blood or body fluids of sick animals or humans, applying insect repellents or wearing protective clothing when visiting tick-infested areas, and seeking medical attention if they develop symptoms. Furthermore, health authorities have urged livestock owners and traders to deworm and treat their animals for ticks before bringing them to the markets or slaughterhouses.
The best way to prevent Congo virus infection is to avoid exposure to ticks and animals that may carry the virus. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your family from CCHF:
– Wear gloves, masks, long sleeves, trousers and boots when handling animals or their products, especially during slaughtering, skinning, butchering or disposing of carcasses.
– Avoid contact with blood or body fluids of sick animals or humans, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact.
– Apply insect repellents or wear protective clothing when visiting tick-infested areas, such as forests, grasslands or farms.
– Check yourself and your animals for ticks regularly, and remove them carefully with tweezers or a tick remover. Do not crush or squeeze the ticks, as this may release the virus.
– Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms of CCHF, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have been in contact with ticks or animals that may be infected.
– Follow the instructions of health authorities and cooperate with disease surveillance and control measures.
CCHF is a serious public health threat that requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to prevent and contain outbreaks. By raising awareness, enhancing surveillance and laboratory capacity, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment, and implementing effective infection prevention and control measures, KP can reduce the impact of this deadly disease on its population.
