Control strategies for emerging infectious diseases: Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever management

• Published in: Health science reports Vol. 7; no. 9; pp. e70053 - n/a
• Main Authors: Srivastava, Shriyansh, Kumar, Sachin, Sharma, Pramod Kumar, Rustagi, Sarvesh, Mohanty, Aroop, Donovan, Suzanne, Henao‐Martinez, Andres F., Sah, Ranjit, Franco‐Paredes, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-09-2024; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Arachnids; Body fluids; Cattle; Disease prevention; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Fatalities; Fever; Infectious diseases; Livestock; Narrative Review; Nosocomial infections; outbreak investigation; Pathogens; pathophysiology; Phylogenetics; Public health; RNA polymerase; Serology; vector‐borne diseases; viral hemorrhagic fevers; Viruses; zoonotic diseases; Middle East; Pakistan; Northern Hemisphere; Asia; Europe; Sudan; Africa; Uganda; vector‐borne diseases; viral hemorrhagic fevers; zoonotic diseases; outbreak investigation; public health; pathophysiology
• ISSN: 2398-8835; 2398-8835
• DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70053

Background and Aims
Crimean‐Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a significant public health concern transmitted by ticks. This study seeks to thoroughly grasp the epidemiology and transmission patterns of CCHF, which is caused by the CCHF virus (CCHFV), a member of the Nairovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family.
Methods
The study investigates the global distribution and endemicity of CCHF, its mortality rates, modes of transmission (including tick bites, contact with infected animal blood, and limited person‐to‐person transmission), and factors influencing its prevalence across different regions. Genetic diversity within CCHFV and its impact on transmission dynamics are explored, along with efforts to control the disease through tick prevention, antiviral treatment, and the development of vaccines and diagnostics.
Results
CCHFV exhibits widespread distribution, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, with an overall mortality rate of approximately 30% and a case fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%. Transmission occurs primarily through tick bites and contact with infected animal blood, with limited person‐to‐person transmission. Livestock workers, slaughterhouse employees, and animal herders in endemic areas are most affected by their frequent interaction with sick animals and ticks. Genetic diversity within CCHFV contributes to variations in transmission dynamics, complicating control efforts. Antiviral ribavirin shows efficacy in treating CCHF infection.
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of further research to understand the enzootic environment, transmission routes, and genetic diversity of CCHFV for effective control measures, including the development of vaccines, treatment options, and diagnostics.
Highlights
Crimean‐Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is prevalent in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, with a mortality rate of ~30%.
Transmission primarily occurs through tick bites and contact with infected animal blood, posing risks to livestock workers and animal herders.
Genetic diversity within CCHFV influences its transmission dynamics, complicating control efforts.
Antiviral ribavirin demonstrates efficacy in treating CCHF infections, highlighting potential therapeutic avenues.