2023-10-26 20:55:46
The alerts went off in France after French health authorities detected the virus for the first time. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in ticksone of the deadliest diseases in the world, for which there is currently no vaccine that provides immunity.
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What is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus?
He Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus It is a virus that belongs to the family Bunyaviridae and to gender Nairoviruswhich is capable of developing a serious disease known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic feverwhich can be fatal in humans, according to describes an article published by the scientific journal Nature.
The main source of infection for humans is through tick bite of the genre Hyalomma. However, it is also possible to spread from person to person through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
What is the case fatality rate of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus?
In accordance with information from the World Health Organization (WHO), The fatality rate of CCHF outbreaks can reach up to 40 percent, that is, this virus is capable of killing 40 percent of infected people.
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Through a statement, the National Reference Center for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever of France confirmed the presence of the virus, for the first time, in ticks. Health authorities announced that they will carry out an in-depth evaluation to evaluate the risk of cases appearing in humans during the next tick seasonwhich is in the spring of 2024.
What are the symptoms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever?
Main symptoms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever They include fever, muscle or joint pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light. Among the following:
Hemorrhages: CCHF can cause bleeding in various organs and tissues, manifested by nosebleeds, blood in the stool, blood in the urine, bleeding gums and the appearance of bruises without apparent cause. Severe headache: people with CCHF They often experience severe headache. General malaise: Patients with CCHF may feel general malaise, weakness, and extreme fatigue. Abdominal pain: Abdominal pain may be present due to gastrointestinal involvement. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is another gastrointestinal symptom that may occur. Difficulty breathing: in severe cases, CCHF can cause difficulty breathing due to lung involvement. Liver and kidney failure: in severe cases, this disease affects organs of great importance, causing organ failure, mainly in the liver. and kidneys.
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Upon the discovery of this virus in France, The warning signs have gone off because a infected tick can produce thousands of infected eggs. On the other hand, young ticks feed on small mammals such as rabbits, and also birds, which allows the virus to colonize new areas easily.
“Ticks are moving across Europe due to climate change, with longer and drier summers,” explained Ali Mirazimi, a virologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
How is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus treated?
According to WHO specialists, so far There is no effective vaccine or antiviral against the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. neither for people nor for animals. Only the antiviral ribavirin in oral and intravenous preparation to treat infection, showing beneficial effects.
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