The Palghar administration in Maharashtra has issued a warning against the possible spread of the Congo fever, an often fatal disease that has created cause for alarm in the region. The disease, officially known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), was first identified in Crimea in 1944 and later in Congo in 1956.
Origins and Background of CCHF
The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever was initially identified in 1944 in Crimea, where it was termed Crimean hemorrhagic fever. However, the disease was found in Congo in 1956, leading scientists to discover that the pathogen responsible for the illness was similar in both regions. This led to the renaming of the disease as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.
Causative Agent and Transmission of CCHF
The culprit behind CCHF is a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) from the Bunyaviridae family. This virus primarily spreads through the bite of the Hyalomma tick, a parasitic creature that sustains itself on the blood of mammals and birds. Another way the disease is transmitted is through direct contact with viraemic animal tissues, which are animal tissues where the virus has entered the bloodstream, during and immediately after animal slaughtering.
How Does CCHF Spread Among Humans?
Human-to-human transmission of the CCHF virus can occur when there is close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. Lack of proper sterilization of medical tools, needle reuse, and medical supply contamination can lead to hospital-induced infections.
The Threat Level and Fatality Rate of CCHF
The presence of CCHF has been widely felt across Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia. CCHF poses a significant threat to public health services due to its potential for epidemics, with a high case fatality ratio ranging from 10-40%. The case fatality rate denotes the severity of a disease and is calculated as the proportion of fatalities within a specified time frame among individuals diagnosed with a particular disease.
Recognizing the Symptoms of CCHF
CCHF symptoms at the early stages include fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain, backache, headache, sore eyes, and photophobia (sensitivity to light). Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sore throat. Emotional instability, confusion, depression, and liver enlargement can follow these initial symptoms.
Treatment Options for CCHF
At present, the primary approach to managing CCHF involves general supportive care and symptom treatment. The antiviral drug ribavirin has shown apparent benefit in treating CCHF infections. However, there are currently no widely available vaccines for either human or animal use against this disease.
