Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Iraq: Cases up to 50 nationally
Minister of Health Dr. Saman Barzanji, with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), said earlier this week that 50 cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) have been reported in Iraq, with eight resulting in death.
"The CCHF disease exists in Iraq, and the first case was detected in the Kurdistan Region yesterday. There are 50 cases of this fever in Iraq, with eight deaths. Two cases have been registered in Kurdistan, and one has died," Barzanji underscored.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is caused by infection with a tick-borne virus (a nairovirus, CCHF virus).
CCHF virus is spread by contact with infected ticks or animal (e.g., livestock) blood. CCHF virus can be spread from human to human through contact with infectious blood or bodily fluids.
Initial symptoms of CCHF include headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting. As the illness progresses, large areas of severe bruising, severe nosebleeds, and bleeding at injection sites can be seen.
In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in hospitalized patients have ranged from 9% to as high as 50%.
Concerning prevention, the US CDC says you can protect yourself by using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellants on exposed skin and clothing and wearing gloves when in contact with livestock.
In addition, avoid contact with ticks, the body fluids of infected livestock, or humans who show signs of infection.