Descriptive epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Afghanistan: Reported cases to National Surveillance System, 2016–2018

Sahak, Mohammad Nadir; Arifi, Fatima; Saeedzai, Sayed Ataullah

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2019.08.016

Cited by 31 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Previous investigation of CCHF patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi showed most cases were students and butchers [25]. Data from a CCHF endemic and neighboring country Afghanistan revealed housewives, health staff, shepherds and butchers to be the high risk occupational groups [26]. Notably, in the present study no case of CCHF was observed in healthcare personnel suggesting good awareness about the disease and strict implementation of infection prevention and control in such settings.…”

Section: Plos Neglected Tropical Diseasessupporting

confidence: 41%

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever viruses circulating in Pakistan during 2019

et al. 2020

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Being an endemic country for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), this study aimed to explore the genetic diversity of CCHF virus (CCHFV) detected in Pakistan during 2019. Serum samples from patients with clinical signs of hemorrhagic fever attending tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan were tested for CCHFV RNA using real-time PCR at Department of Virology, National Institute of Health. The partial S-gene fragments were directly sequenced to determine the prevailing CCHFV genotypes and their molecular epidemiology in Pakistan. During January-December 2019, 280 samples from suspected CCHF patients were tested and 28 (10%) were found positive on real-time PCR. Positive cases were detected from 14 districts and across all four provinces of Pakistan with majority reported during August-September. The mean age of CCHFV positive patients was 37.25 years (range 5-65 years) with a high frequency in males (92.8%; n = 26) and a case fatality rate of 40.7% was observed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that S-segment of 2019 PAK CCHFV strains (n = 13) belonged to Asia-1 genotype and clustered with regional strains from Iran, Oman, and Afghanistan. We conclude that Asia-1 genotype of CCHF virus remains endemic in Pakistan. Our findings emphasize to establish a laboratory based surveillance program to monitor the disease burden and identify outbreak hotspots for effective control.

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Section: Plos Neglected Tropical Diseasessupporting

confidence: 41%

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever viruses circulating in Pakistan during 2019

et al. 2020

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“…In this study the most affected age group was 20-29 years which is the economically active age. The similar observation were noted in descriptive study done in Afghansitan (Sahak et al, 2019). Previous studies have reported the most affected age group is 13-45 years, which is comparable to our study (Mofleh & Ahmad, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

‘Characterisation of suspected Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases in a public sector hospital Islamabad’

Noreen¹,

Saima

Irum

et al. 2020

Global Security: Health, Science and Policy

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Pakistan has been experiencing a continuous rise in the incidence of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Sporadic cases of CCHF are reported from rural areas of Punjab, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring Afghanistan where cattle herding is common. The objective of this paper was to describe the epidemiology of CCHF. A descriptive study was carried out in the CCHF isolation ward in Islamabad in a tertiary care hospital from February to November 2018. Using a standardised case definition, all patients admitted in the isolation ward with clinical evidence of CCHF were included in the study. After taking the informed consent, data were collected on demographic factors, history of animal contact, tick-bite history, co-morbidity, laboratory results and treatment outcome. Data were analysed as per time, place and person. During the study period, 40 suspected CCHF patients were admitted in the isolation ward, 32 (80%) males were affected. Mean age of the cases was 33.5 years (range 13-70 years). Most affected 17 (42.5%) age group was 20-29 years. Animal contact history was found in Thirty-seven (92.5%) of cases and 28 (70%) with tick bites. Most of the cases, 26 (65%), were reported from July to August. Forty patients in this study were tested by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), 20 (50%) were positive, out of which 6(30%) expired. Majority of the positive patients were animal handlers by occupation (37.5%). Proper personal protective equipment was available. The reference laboratory facility was not available for immediate investigations was sent to National Institute of Health for confirmation. The overall results show the important risk factors for CCHF a history of tick bites, high-risk occupations and having contact with livestock. Public health measures should focus on preventing tick bites, increasing awareness of CCHF signs and symptoms, timely investigation, and treatment to reduce mortality. Our analyses recommend the government to set up isolation units in all major hospitals, and proper surveillance system.

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“…Also in a recent study, CCHFV genomes in sheep, and CCHFV‐specific antibodies in sheep and goats were found in these areas (Kasi et al, ). This region is close to the border with Afghanistan, which is also endemic for CCHFV (Khurshid et al, ; Sahak, Arifi, & Saeedzai, ). Balochistan is considered as a corridor for the trade of ruminant skins from Iran (also endemic for CCHFV) and Afghanistan for the leather industry, and also importation of livestock from Afghanistan to Pakistan is common (Raziq, Younas, & Rehman, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from livestock in Balochistan, Pakistan

Kasi

Arnim

Schulz

et al. 2020

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Descriptive epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Afghanistan: Reported cases to National Surveillance System, 2016–2018

Cited by 31 publications

References 10 publications

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever viruses circulating in Pakistan during 2019

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever viruses circulating in Pakistan during 2019

‘Characterisation of suspected Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases in a public sector hospital Islamabad’

Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from livestock in Balochistan, Pakistan

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