Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic Fever/Congo Fever- History, Facts, Symptoms
Kerala State Health department has sounded an alert following the detection of a few instances of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Kasargode district. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever is a tick-born viral disease, spread by Hyalomma ticks. Animals and birds are carriers of Congo virus. Congo fever symptoms include flu, blood spot under skin, severe bleeding, and diseases of liver.
Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
A few cases of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), briefly known as Congo fever, has been reported in the Kasargode district. State Health Department has asked all health units in kerala to exercise maximum care about the likely spread of this new disease. If detected early, this fever can be brought under control with effective medical treatment.
Death of three persons has been reported from Ahamedabad, including a nurse from Kerala. It was later found that these persons were afflicted with Congo fever. History
Crimean Congo fever is spread by Hyalomma tick. Congo fever virus is widespread in Africa, Asia, and Europe, where this tick occurs. The first identified case of the Crimean Hemorrhagic fever was reported in 1944 by Soviet scientists. In 1967 Soviet scientist Mikhail Chumakov extracted an isolate from a fatal case in Samarkhand. This fever is an essentially tick-borne viral disease found in humans, animals and birds. The Hyalomma tick is the most common carrier of this virus. Mortality rate in humans is about 30%
Virus Classification
Group: Group V ((-)ssRNA)
Family: Bunyaviridae
Genus: Nairovirus
Species: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virusSymptoms
Humans exhibit symptoms of this disease within 9 days after this tick bite or contact with infected blood.
• A flu-like symptom
• Mood instability
• Agitation
• Mental confusion
• Vomiting
• Nose bleeding
• Black stools
• Bloody urine
• Later blood spots appear under the skin.
• This will be more often followed by more severe bleeding and liver disease.
Is meat safe for human consumption?
It is reported that this virus doesn't survive in cooked meat.Precautions against this disease
• Animals should be treated against ticks
• Use of insect repellents.
• Protective clothing should be worn to protect from tick bites.
• Only eat meat slaughtered at licensed slaughter houses.
As this is a viral disease, antibiotic remedy is not effective. Timely detection and proper medical treatment can cure this disease.
Attachments
Job oriented