Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) update: Afghanistan, Senegal and Iraq
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) update: Afghanistan, Senegal and Iraq
Afghanistan
In a follow-up on the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) outbreak in Afghanistan this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan report the total number of reported suspected CCHF cases and associated deaths has risen to 1,115 and 105, respectively (CFR 9.4%) in the first nine months of 2023.
The good news is the number of cases weekly is decreasing. According to the WHO, 16 new cases were reported in the last week of September, a 38.5% decrease from the previous week.
Senegal
The Senegal Ministry of Health reported one additional confirmed CCHF case last month. Since the first case was reported in early July, Senegal has reported five confirmed cases and one death (Case Fatality Ratio 20%).
Cases have been reported in five of Senegal’s 14 regions: Dakar (1 case; 1 death), Gossas (1; 0), Fatick (1; 0) Louga (1; 0) and Yeumbeul (1; 0).
Iraq
According to the latest data from the Iraqi Ministry of Health, there have been 505 confirmed CCHF cases during 2023, including 64 deaths through the end of August.
The southern province of Dhi Qar has seen the most cases with 125, including 12 deaths. This is followed by Basra with 76 infections and 11 deaths.
CCHF
CCHF represents a major challenge to public health due to its burden on social and economic well-being, as well as its effects on the health of individuals. Despite the presence of public health measures to control and prevent the spread of CCHF, there has been an increase in its occurrence worldwide over the last decade due to the nature of the disease, human behavior, environmental and ecological factors, and improvements in diagnostic methods.
CCHF is an acute tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Crimea-Congo virus of the Nairoviridae family. CCHF is asymptomatic in 60–80% of cases, and the remaining 20–40% of cases usually suffer from initial fever, headache and malaise followed by gastrointestinal symptoms; severe cases can experience bleeding, shock and multi-organ system failure.