A highly dangerous Virus known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has become a significant threat, rapidly spreading across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Mirror reported Outbreaks of CCHF in Iraq, Namibia, and Spain, with fatalities recorded in Pakistan.
Health experts attribute the Virus’s alarming acceleration to Climate change, prompting urgent Health warnings Worldwide.
Transmission and Impact of CCHF
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), CCHF is Transmitted through Ticks and is caused by the Nairovirus.
With a fatality rate ranging from 10 to 40 percent, the Virus poses a severe Risk.
Sources cited by the British Parliament’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee expressed concerns that Cases of CCHF might soon emerge in the United Kingdom.
During a hearing, James Wood, head of Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University, warned of the potential for CCHF to reach the UK through ticks present in the Country.
The expansion of the Disease beyond its Traditional Territories towards Regions like Britain and France is attributed to Climate change.
Symptoms and Implications of CCHF
The Symptoms of CCHF include Severe headache, high fever, joint and back pain, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting.
Patients may also experience red eyes, a flushed face, redness in the throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate.
In severe cases, jaundice, mood swings, and sensory perception abnormalities may occur.
As the disease progresses, Patients may exhibit extensive bruising, severe nosebleeds, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection Sites, usually around the fourth day of Illness and lasting for about two weeks.
Hospitalized Patients in documented CCHF outbreaks have shown Fatality Rates ranging from nine to as high as 50 Percent.
Although the long-term Complications of CCHF Infection in Survivors have not been extensively w Studied, it is known that recovery from the Disease is slow.
Transmission and Reported Cases
The WHO states that CCHF can be transmitted from Person to Person through close contact with the Blood, secretions, Organs, or Bodily fluids of Infected Individuals.
Disturbingly, emerging Reports confirm that there are currently no Vaccines available for Humans or Animals Infected with CCHF.
Most cases of CCHF have been Observed in Individuals involved in the Livestock Industry, such as Agricultural workers, Slaughterhouse workers, and Veterinarians.
Iraq faced a Major battle against CCHF last year, with 212 Incidents Reported between January 1 and May 22.
Of these cases, 169 were reported in April and May alone.
Additionally, a report from May Indicated that Iraq had already recorded nearly 100 additional Cases and 13 deaths attributed to CCHF in 2023.
The Widespread and escalating Spread of CCHF demands Immediate attention and Global Collaboration to prevent further outbreaks and mitigate the Impact on Public Health.
