In a follow-up on the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak in Iran, health officials now put the outbreak at 33 cases, according to a news release (computer translated).
Officials with the Communicable diseases department with the Ministry of Health say the spread of the disease in the country is comparable with the same period last year. To date, three deaths have been reported, including one in a pregnant woman.
Most cases have been transmitted to people via tick bite and through animal slaughter. Doctors add that CCHF will not be transmitted through eating properly cooked meat.
LISTEN: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: A conversation with Dr Judy Stone
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CCHF spreads to humans either by tick-bites, or through contact with viremic animal tissues during and immediately post-slaughter. CCHF outbreaks constitute a threat to public health services because of its epidemic potential, its high case fatality ratio (10-40%), its potential for nosocomial outbreaks and the difficulties in treatment and prevention. CCHF is endemic in all of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia south of the 50° parallel north, the geographic limit of the genus Hyalomma, the principal tick vector.
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