Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, CCHF, Virus Spreading In Europe
Science/Medical/Technology
Sunday 9th, July 2023
A virus which broke out in Iraq and Namibia has since seen it spread to Europe, with Spain seeing cases and the first reported deaths have been observed in Pakistan.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever or CCHF for short is being described by some as the biggest threat to public safety and it's reported by some that the spread of CCHF is being caused by climate change.
CCHF is spread through ticks, and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the disease is caused by the Nairovirus which has currently seen a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent.
Last week, insiders speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee in the United Kingdom revealed it was "highly likely" there could soon be cases in the UK.
During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said CCHF could find its way to the UK "through our ticks, at some point". The disease is feared to be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the likes of Britain and France because of climate change.
Symptoms of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
Symptoms include headaches, high fever, back and joint pain, stomach ache and vomiting. Also commonly seen are red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate.
In more severe case, WHO has stated that, from around the fourth day and lasting for approximately two seek that, Jaundice, mood swings and sensory perception have been seen. The condition then progresses with large areas of server bruising, severe nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites have also been seen.
CCHR fatality rates in hospitalised patients and been recorded from 9% up to as high as 50% and there is not enough long term data or studies to determine is complications are or will be seen later on.
How Is It Spread
The WHO have said that human-to-human transmission can occur from "close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person".
CCHF is transmitted to humans by either tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues immediately after slaughter.
Hosts of CCHF include a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.
According to the WHO, the majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians.
Iraq was reportedly in a major battle with the disease last year, with 212 incidents recorded between January 1 and May 22. Of those, 169 were reported between April and May alone.
Agence France-Presse added in May that almost 100 additional cases, and 13 deaths, were so far in 2023 attributed to the toll in Iraq.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever or CCHF for short is being described by some as the biggest threat to public safety and it's reported by some that the spread of CCHF is being caused by climate change.
CCHF is spread through ticks, and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the disease is caused by the Nairovirus which has currently seen a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent.
Last week, insiders speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee in the United Kingdom revealed it was "highly likely" there could soon be cases in the UK.
During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said CCHF could find its way to the UK "through our ticks, at some point". The disease is feared to be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the likes of Britain and France because of climate change.
Symptoms of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
Symptoms include headaches, high fever, back and joint pain, stomach ache and vomiting. Also commonly seen are red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate.
In more severe case, WHO has stated that, from around the fourth day and lasting for approximately two seek that, Jaundice, mood swings and sensory perception have been seen. The condition then progresses with large areas of server bruising, severe nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites have also been seen.
CCHR fatality rates in hospitalised patients and been recorded from 9% up to as high as 50% and there is not enough long term data or studies to determine is complications are or will be seen later on.
How Is It Spread
The WHO have said that human-to-human transmission can occur from "close contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person".
CCHF is transmitted to humans by either tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues immediately after slaughter.
Hosts of CCHF include a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.
According to the WHO, the majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians.
Iraq was reportedly in a major battle with the disease last year, with 212 incidents recorded between January 1 and May 22. Of those, 169 were reported between April and May alone.
Agence France-Presse added in May that almost 100 additional cases, and 13 deaths, were so far in 2023 attributed to the toll in Iraq.
