Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Uganda
The Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak in Mubende district on January 10.
The index case is a 45-year-old male farmer with a history of contact with cattle, goats and sheep.
He present at the Mubende Regional Referral Hospital with fever, general body weakness, sore throat, loss of appetite and bleeding from multiple orifices.
CCHF was confirmed by PCR by the Uganda Virus Research Institute.
To date, cumulatively one confirmed case and three suspected cases have been reported. No deaths have been reported.
The MOH activated the national and regional public health emergency operations centers and deployed a rapid response team to conduct further epidemiological investigations.
In addition, case management, active case search and risk communication activities are ongoing in the affected district.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever 101
Sporadic CCHF outbreaks are reported in Uganda annually. In 2024, 20 cases, including eight confirmed, and four deaths were reported from five districts.
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%.