Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever in Iran

Abstract

The presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Iran was first identified in studies of livestock sera and ticks in the 1970s, but the first human infection was not diagnosed until 1999. Since that time, the number of cases of CCHF in Iran has markedly increased. Through January 2012, articles in the published literature have reported a total of 870 confirmed cases, with 126 deaths, for a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.6%. The disease has been seen in 26 of the country’s 31 provinces, with the greatest number of cases in Sistan and Baluchestan, Isfahan, Fars, Tehran, Khorasan, and Khuzestan provinces. The increase in CCHF in Iran has paralleled that in neighboring Turkey, though the number of cases in Turkey has been much larger, with an overall CFR of around 5%. In this article, we review the features of CCHF in Iran, including its history, epidemiology, animal and tick reservoirs, current surveillance and control programs, diagnostic methods, clinical features and experience with ribavirin therapy, and consider possible explanations for the difference in the CFR of CCHF between Iran and Turkey. The emergence of CCHF in Iran calls for countermeasures at many levels to protect the population, but also provides opportunities for studying the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of the disease.

A Case Report of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Europe-1 Genotype in the West of Iran

“…Iran is one of the CCHF endemic countries with human cases of the disease reported almost all over the country (3). According to the previous data, 5 out of 7 lineages of CCHFV have been detected in Iran (1,4).…”

An Emerging Threat of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: Call for Preparedness

“…Till date, this disease has been reported as an endemic in our neighboring countries like Tazakistan, Pakistan, Russia, Iran and Turkey (Maltezou and Papa, 2010;Tishkova et al, 2012;Atkinson et al, 2013;Keshtkar-Jahromi et al, 2013). Therefore, there is a need to take precautionary measures to combat the threat nip it in the bud, before it spreads to a greater extent.…”

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: Report of Three Cases from Iran

“…livestock workers, Animal herders, slaughter houses, international travelers (with contact to livestock in endemic area) and healthcare workers in endemic areas (by contact with infectious blood) in Iran are at risk of CCHF. Khuzestan one of the most infected provinces with 7 cases in 2003 [15], of which 5 cases led to death [14]. Since 1999-2015, 42 probable CCHF cases were reported from Khuzestan province, that in each of the rural and urban areas respectively reported to 35.7% and 64.3% [5].…”