Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Mauritania

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Mauritania

February 13, 2022
< 1 min read

Two cases of Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the pastoral region. Caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.

Transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. Symptoms include headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting. Incubation period is 5 to 6 days.

10 -40% mortality rate.

Photo: Hyalomma ticks are the principal vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a disease caused by a tick-borne virus. The virus is widespread in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Madagascar.

Prevention is by avoiding tick bites, but also agricultural, slaughterhouse, and veterinarians are at risk of catching the disease through contact with animals. Human-to-human transmission is also possible.

The virus may have evolved around 1500-1100 BC. It is thought that changing climate and agricultural practices near this time could be behind its evolution. In 1944, Soviet scientists first identified the disease they called Crimean hemorrhagic fever in Crimea.

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