- The Palghar administration asked authorities to remain alert against a possible spread of the Congo fever in the Maharashtra district.
- The Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo fever, spreads in humans through ticks.
- In the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19, this is a matter of concern for cattle- breeders, meat-sellers and animal husbandry officials, and it is necessary to take timely precautions as there is no specific and useful treatment for the CCHF.
- This viral disease is transmitted from one animal to another by a specific type of tick…the disease is transmitted to humans through contact with the blood of infected animals and by eating the meat of infected animals.
- If the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time, 30 per cent of patients die.
- The CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.
- The virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10 to 40 per cent, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- There is no vaccine available for either people or animals against the disease.
- Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.
- Hospital-acquired infections can also occur due to improper sterilisation of medical equipment, reuse of needles and contamination of medical supplies, according to the WHO.
