Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Review

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease caused by the arbovirus (a spherical enveloped RNA virus having diameter about 100nm). The virus belongs to Nairovirus genus of Bunyaviridae family. CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease of zoonotic importance prevalent in about 30 countries worldwide. Most susceptible species of virus are humans, livestock, mall vertebrates and ostriches. CCHF is also known as Congo fever, Central Asian hemorrhagic fever, Congo virus disease, Hungribta (blood taking), Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Khunymuny (nose bleeding), Karakhalak (black death), and viral tick-borne hemorrhagic fever disease. CCHF virus transmits to humans through tick biting (genus Hyalomma) and/or exposure to blood and/or tissues of infected livestock or direct contact with body fluids and/ or blood of viraemic persons. CCHF has been found fatal in humans but does not show clinical signs in Small vertebrates (excluding birds) and livestock. Most often mortality remains around 30%, however it may range up to 5% to 80%. Viremic person shows dramatic progression characterized by hemorrhages, chilling, sudden onset of high fever, headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, severe back, and abdominal pain and myalgia, after 3–7 days of incubation. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric changes. However, in severe infection, hemorrhages ranging from petechiae to large areas of ecchymosis may develop. Early diagnosis using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) and molecular tools such as RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) is helpful for prevention and therapeutic measures. Although, currently there is no antiviral drug available for CCHF, however, Immunotherapy and Ribavirin have been found to be effective during sporadic outbreaks of disease. Further sound scientific research about basic biology of CCHFV may lead to the better treatment plan in the future.