Israel: Ministry of Agriculture reports 1st Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in cattle
As part of active disease monitoring in animals, conducted by the Veterinary Institute of the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, the virus that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was discovered for the first time in grazing cattle in the Golan Heights, the eastern Jezreel Valley and southern Carmel, and in the ticks that were on it.
The Ministry of Agriculture informed the Ministry of Health of the evidence of the presence of the virus, due to the potential consequences for public health, since it is a zoonotic disease (a disease transmitted from animals to humans). The ministry emphasizes that it is not possible to contract the disease by eating meat or drinking milk. Workers near grazing cattle must take extra precautions to prevent infection.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that affects both cattle and sheep and humans. Most of the time, the disease appears without symptoms in animals, but can cause severe morbidity in humans. It is known from the literature that about 30% of people diagnosed also die from the disease. The virus is transmitted through the bite of a tick that feeds on the blood of infected cattle and sheep or through contact with their body fluids, and is not contagious by eating meat or drinking milk. As mentioned, this is the first time that the virus has been diagnosed in Israel, despite the fact that the virus is prevalent in the countries of the Middle East, Africa, West Asia and Southeast Europe.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that one must stay in very close proximity to cattle and sheep in order to contract the disease and the main transmission is through a tick.
In order to prevent exposure to the virus, the Ministry of Health recommends that people working with animals or slaughterhouses use gloves and an apron. In addition, it is recommended to wear long clothing and use tick repellents. If there is contact with a tick on the skin, it must be removed quickly and professionally. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that as of this time there are no special instructions for the general public and how to cook meat at home.