By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
A confirmed case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) involving a 42-year-old businessman dealing in cattle has been reported from Kasagama Subcounty, Lyantonde District.
A specimen obtained from the deceased case-patient tested positive for CCHF virus by RT-PCR at the Ugandan Virus Research Institute (UVRI) on 31 July 2019.
A total of 50 contacts have been listed and are being monitored. Of the total contacts, two develop signs and symptoms suggestive of CCHF but tested negative by RTPCR at UVRI. Another suspected case from the same area, but not a contact of the confirmed case has been admitted with similar signs and
symptoms.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family. The CCHF virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10–40%.
Animals become infected by the bite of infected ticks and the virus remains in their bloodstream for about one week after infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites. Although a number of tick genera are capable of becoming infected with CCHF virus, ticks of the genus Hyalomma are the principal vector.
The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians. Human-to-human transmission is possible.
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