Afghanistan update: CCHF, measles, malaria and dengue
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since the beginning of 2024, a total of 908 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) with 76 associated deaths (CFR=8.4%) were reported.
The epi-curve of suspected CCHF cases shows a gradually increasing trend since week 16-2024, peaking around week 26 -2024; while a decrease is observed in the last weeks followed by stabilization at a relatively high level during the past 5 weeks.
Out of the total cases, 907 (99.9%) were over-five, while 266 (29.3%) were females.
Deaths were reported from 7 provinces Kabul (45), Balkh (14), Herat (6), Kunduz (4), Kapisa (3), Baghlan (2), and Nangarhar (2).
The highest cumulative incidence of suspected CCHF per 100,000 population in 2024 is reported from Balkh (8.3) followed by Kabul (5.8), Kapisa (5.2), and Jawzjan (4.0) provinces.
In response to the outbreak, the following actions have been taken: the distribution of ribavirin to health offices, insecticides supplied to all provinces for cattle spraying, focused interventions on surveillance/outbreak investigation, laboratory confirmation, etc, mass online awareness campaigns and in person training.
Measles
The trend in 2024 is higher than that reported in 2023. Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 47,119 suspected measles cases and 213 deaths (CFR=0.5%) were reported. Among suspected measles cases, 37,804 (80.2%) were under-five children.
Since the beginning of the year, Khost has reported the highest cumulative incidence of suspected measles cases per 10,000 population (63.5), followed by Balkh (27.9), Jawzjan (20.9), and Samangan (20.1).
Mass vaccine campaigns covering more than 600,000 children aged 9-59 months took place this year.
Malaria
Confirmed malaria cases show a gradual increase in Afghanistan. Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 43,886 confirmed malaria cases with 2 associated deaths were reported from 32 provinces. Out of the total cases, 9,138 (20.8%) were under-five children.
The trend in 2024 are higher than the 3-year average (2020-22) and closely followed the trend observed in 2023.
According to WHO, Afghanistan has the world’s third-highest malaria burden. In Afghanistan, 5% of malaria cases are attributed to Plasmodium falciparum (P.f.) and 95% to Plasmodium vivax (P.v.).
Dengue fever
Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 1,844 suspected cases of dengue fever with no associated deaths were reported.