Latest news with #Nairovirus
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Symptoms of killer virus in Spain - 'highly likely' to reach UK
Spain has seen the most recent cases of the disease as experts say one activity 'drastically increases' the risk of catching it New cases of a killer virus have been detected in holiday hotspots loved by British tourists - and experts have warned it could reach the UK. It's been described as the current biggest threat to public health, after breaking out in Iraq and Namibia. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), has also caused two reported deaths in Pakistan - with several cases reported in Spain. Last week, insiders speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was 'highly likely' there could soon be cases in the UK. In its most recent report the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was recetnyl reported in Spain with the illness 'known to be circulating among animals in this region and human CCHF cases have been previously reported in the area.' In the eight years to 2024 a total of 16 autochthonous CCHF cases have been reported in Spain with dates of disease onset between April and August. The province of Salamanca is a hotspot for CCHF, with 50% of the cases being exposed to ticks. It adds that in certain conditions in Spain people are much more likely to catch Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: 'This risk drastically increases for people performing activities that expose them to tick bites (e.g. hunting, forestry work, hiking, animal surveillance). The UK Heath Security Agency has said it is estimated that globally between 10,000 and 15,000 human infections, including approximately 500 fatalities, occur annually, although this is likely to be an underestimate as many cases. Confirmed CCHF cases have been imported into the UK, including one fatal case in 2012 and one in 2014. In March 2022, a CCHF case was reported in the UK following an initial positive test result. To prevent CCHF: Use DEET-containing insect repellent to prevent tick bites. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants when handling animals where CCHF is found. Avoid contact with body fluids of potentially infected animals or people. 'As a general precaution against CCHF, but also against other tick-borne diseases, people who may potentially be exposed to ticks should apply personal protective measures against tick bites. In 2023 experts speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was 'highly likely' there could soon be cases in the UK. During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said CCHF could find its way to the UK 'through our ticks, at some point'. The disease is caused by Nairovirus, a condition that is spread by ticks and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and has a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent. Typically, the condition is found at small stages in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia, reports the Express. However, the disease could be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the likes of Britain and France due to climate change. WHO noted CCHF was among its nine 'priority diseases', a system that lays bare the biggest public health risks. CCHF was first described in the Crimea in 1944, among soldiers and agricultural workers, and in 1969 it was recognised that the virus causing the disease was identical to a virus isolated from a child in the Congo in 1956. Humans (and possibly non-human primates) are the only animal species known to manifest severe clinical CCHF disease. Symptoms of CCHF Among the virus' symptoms include headaches, high fever, back and joint pain, stomach ache, and vomiting. Red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate are also common. In severe cases, WHO warns, jaundice, mood swings and sensory perception are encountered. As the illness progresses, large areas of severe bruising, severe nosebleeds, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites can be seen, beginning on about the fourth day of illness and lasting for about two weeks. In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in hospitalised patients ranged from nine percent to as high as 50 percent. The long-term effects of CCHF infection have not been studied well enough in survivors to determine whether or not specific complications exist. However, recovery is slow. Globally, there have been case reports, virological or serological evidence of human infection in at least 55 countries. In the European Region and its neighbouring countries, locally acquired human cases and/or outbreaks have been reported from Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine. Spain officially reported its first autochthonous case in August 2016, the first in Western Europe, following their first detection of CCHFV infected ticks in 2010. At the end of October 2023, French officials reported the detection of CCHFV in H. marginatum ticks collected from cattle in the eastern Pyrénées, which was the first time the presence of the virus in tick populations had been confirmed in the country.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Two Congo virus cases admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar
Listen to article Two patients affected by the Congo virus have been admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawer with their condition reported to be out of danger. According to the hospital spokesperson, 28-year-old Aijaz from Karak was brought to the hospital in critical condition on June 14. Another 23-year-old patient, Safiyan, also from Karak, was admitted on June 15. After receiving medical treatment, both patients are now stable and no longer in critical condition. The spokesperson added that both affected individuals work in animal care. Read: Poliovirus detected in Hyderabad sample In April, Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) issued public health advisories regarding the risks of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and the increasing dangers of heatwaves and sunstroke, emphasising the growing climate-related challenges in the country. The advisory urged healthcare institutions and authorities to implement timely and appropriate measures to prevent disease outbreaks during the summer months. CCHF, a potentially fatal viral disease caused by the Nairovirus, was primarily transmitted to humans through tick bites, especially from infected livestock like goats, sheep, and rabbits. The virus could also spread through direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, particularly during or after slaughter. Human-to-human transmission was possible, especially in clinical or domestic settings. According to NIH data, Pakistan had reported 61 cases of CCHF in 2024. The advisory recommended wearing light-coloured clothing to make ticks more visible and advised citizens to avoid areas with heavy tick infestations. It also encouraged the safe removal of any visible ticks from skin or clothing.
Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Blood, ticks, and broken systems: The resurgence of CCHF in Iraq
Shafaq News/ In the spring of 2025, Iraq is once again facing a deadly virus it never fully eliminated. Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has re-emerged, resulting in fatalities in Kirkuk and reaching provinces previously considered low-risk. The deaths of a young doctor and a village butcher have unsettled communities already under pressure, as rising tick populations and unregulated livestock movement contribute to the virus's continued spread. Each new case reflects broader challenges, a strained healthcare system, under-resourced rural areas, and a country navigating the combined impact of climate shifts and long-term underinvestment. Understanding CCHF Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a deadly but often overlooked viral disease caused by a Nairovirus. Transmitted primarily through Hyalomma ticks, it can also spread via contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected animals, and in some cases, from human to human, particularly in healthcare settings. The disease typically begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, dizziness, and muscle pain, but can rapidly progress to internal bleeding, liver failure, and, in many cases, death. With a mortality rate ranging from 10% to 40%, rapid diagnosis and isolation are essential to containing outbreaks and saving lives. CCHF is endemic in more than 30 countries, spanning regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. Yet Iraq has emerged as one of the hardest-hit. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies it among the most severely affected countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. A 2024 bulletin from the International Society for Infectious Diseases highlighted the dire situation, warning that rural Iraqis face some of the highest exposure risks in the region. Escalating Numbers Iraq has witnessed a steady and deeply troubling rise in CCHF cases over the past five years. Between 2020 and early 2022, the country recorded over 300 confirmed infections, marking its most severe outbreak in decades. In 2020, Iraq registered 63 confirmed cases. That figure more than doubled in 2021. By May 2022, the country had already documented 212 cases, a sixfold year-on-year increase. The surge was concentrated in the south: Dhi Qar reported 90 cases, Mayan 72, and al-Muthanna 61. Together, these three provinces accounted for more than 60% of all infections that year. But the trend did not stop there. In 2023, Iraq recorded 511 confirmed cases, an unprecedented annual total, with a fatality rate of 14%, resulting in approximately 72 deaths. By spring 2025, the virus had crept into new territory. Kirkuk registered 19 confirmed infections and two fatalities. In Nineveh and Diyala, veterinary authorities reported rising tick populations around farms, signaling a worrying northward shift in the disease's geographical footprint. 'We are witnessing vector migration northwards,' explained Shafaq News, Dr. Samira al-Obeidi of Baghdad University. 'Climate and unregulated trade are redrawing Iraq's epidemiological map.' The human toll has grown more personal. In Kirkuk, the virus claimed the life of Dr. Adnan Rauf, a 34-year-old physician at Azadi Teaching Hospital. Known for his dedication, he continued treating patients even after protective equipment ran out. 'He wouldn't stop treating people, even when he knew the risks,' recalled a colleague. The second fatality in Kirkuk was 42-year-old Khalid Mahmoud, a butcher from Laylan district. He had handled sheep bought from an unregulated vendor, an all-too-common practice in underserved areas. 'He had no choice... We couldn't afford to say no,' his brother shared from quarantine. Three other villagers later developed similar symptoms. While the southern provinces, particularly Dhi Qar, Maysan, and al-Muthanna, have historically borne the brunt of CCHF outbreaks, the recent fatalities in Kirkuk have sparked growing alarm. Northern regions, with their weaker surveillance systems and limited public health outreach, may be ill-prepared to face a full-scale spread. A Tangle of Risk Factors Multiple interconnected factors have heightened Iraq's vulnerability to the CCHF. Since 1970, average temperatures in the country have risen by 1.6°C, lengthening the active season of Hyalomma ticks, the primary vectors of the virus. This climate shift, compounded by porous borders and traditional livestock practices, has created a perfect storm for transmission. Unregulated animal movement across Iraq's borders with Iran and Syria plays a critical role. Livestock are frequently smuggled into the country, bypassing health inspections entirely. 'Animals are being smuggled in without any health inspection,' explained veterinary epidemiologist Dr. Latif al-Khalidi to Shafaq News. Once mixed with local herds, these animals can introduce the virus deep into Iraq's interior. Inside rural communities, protective measures are alarmingly scarce. Gloves are rarely used, and awareness of the disease remains limited. A 2024 Ministry of Agriculture survey revealed that fewer than 22% of herders in high-risk zones had received any training on CCHF prevention, leaving both livestock handlers and their communities dangerously exposed. The risks intensify during Eid al-Adha (the second of the two main festivals in Islam alongside Eid al-Fitr,) when the transport and ritual slaughter of animals dramatically increase. In 2023 alone, more than 2.4 million animals were sacrificed, often in unsanitary open-air markets with no veterinary oversight. 'In rural towns, there are often no municipal slaughterhouses,' noted Basim Karim, a public health officer in al-Diwaniyah. 'Animals are slaughtered on the street, sometimes by people who've never even heard of CCHF.' While Iraqi regulations prohibit unsupervised slaughter, enforcement is weak. A 2023 review by the Iraqi Red Crescent found that only 28% of rural towns implemented hygiene measures during Eid. The report also pointed to a combination of insufficient personnel and local resistance to outside intervention as the main obstacles. Progress Amid Persistent Gaps Since 2022, Iraqi authorities have stepped up efforts to contain the spread of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Joint campaigns by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture rolled out large-scale acaricide spraying and livestock dipping programs, particularly in high-risk provinces. By 2024, over 120,000 animals were treated across Saladin and al-Wasit alone, marking one of the most extensive veterinary mobilizations the country has undertaken in years. Preventive health approaches were also broadened. In Kirkuk, six unauthorized slaughterhouses were shut down in early 2025. Medical teams began distributing gloves, masks, and disinfectants to butchers and farmers, targeting those on the front lines of exposure. Public awareness campaigns are also adapting to rural realities, utilizing local radio and TikTok to relay information in dialects specific to remote communities. These measures represent significant progress, but the impact has been uneven. Tick infestations remain widespread in several provinces, and human transmission continues to rise, particularly in regions with weak infrastructure. 'The problem isn't effort, it's reach,' explained Dr. Haidar Al-Kinani, Director of the Communicable Diseases Control Center in Baghdad. 'Many of our campaigns don't penetrate remote areas. We need mobile clinics, local mediators, and most critically, a consistent funding stream.' Indeed, funding has emerged as a persistent bottleneck. Despite multiple fact-finding missions by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Iraq has struggled to secure long-term international backing. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) declined Iraq's 2023 appeal, citing poor regional coordination and the absence of a cohesive national strategy. These limitations are especially evident in rural health infrastructure. Most clinics outside major cities lack isolation units, and many hospitals remain short on personal protective equipment. The country has only two biosafety level 3 laboratories capable of diagnosing hemorrhagic fevers. 'We're stretched thin,' cautioned Dr. Luma Abdel-Qader, a virologist at the Central Public Health Laboratory in Baghdad. 'Between delays in sample transport and limited testing capacity, we're constantly playing catch-up.' Compared to Iraq's fragmented response, neighboring countries have implemented more structured approaches. Iran has deployed over 500 mobile veterinary teams in endemic zones. Jordan requires health certifications before animal slaughter. Saudi Arabia has invested $6 million in tick-related research and enforces strict livestock quarantine protocols. Despite its vulnerability, Iraq remains excluded from regional platforms like the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Zoonoses initiative. A 2024 WHO report emphasized that the country 'lacks a centralized zoonotic disease strategy, leaving provincial authorities to respond in isolation.' Non-governmental organizations, which might have helped fill the gaps, have also scaled back. 'It's a difficult working environment,' confessed to Shafaq News, Noura Yassin, a program coordinator at MedGlobal. 'The risks are high, and local systems aren't always ready for partnership.' While Iraqi officials deserve credit for launching serious initiatives, the results remain constrained by deeper structural issues. According to Medical Intern Ibrahim Saleh, the campaigns have delivered progress, but not containment. 'Without sustained investment, a centralized disease control strategy, and regional collaboration, the fight against CCHF risks remaining reactive and insufficient.'
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pakistan issues advisory on Congo virus and heatstroke risks
Listen to article Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued public health advisories on the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and rising risks from heatwaves and sunstroke as climate-related challenges intensify across the country. The advisory urges healthcare institutions and relevant authorities to implement timely and appropriate measures to prevent disease outbreaks during the summer months. CCHF, a potentially fatal viral disease, is caused by the Nairovirus and is commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, particularly those found on livestock such as goats, sheep, and rabbits. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, especially during or after slaughter. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, particularly in clinical or domestic settings. According to NIH data, 61 cases of CCHF were reported in Pakistan in 2024. The advisory recommends wearing light-coloured clothing, which makes ticks more visible, Express News reported. Citizens are also advised to avoid visiting areas with heavy tick infestations and to remove any visible ticks from skin or clothing using safe techniques. In a separate note, the NIH warned of the growing health risks posed by heatwaves and sunstroke, as Pakistan faces intensified climate impacts, including rising temperatures due to global warming. The advisory highlights that heatwave-related illnesses and deaths are likely to increase in the coming years. To prevent heatstroke, the NIH strongly recommends avoiding direct sunlight, staying hydrated, and taking other precautionary measures to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Health experts caution that the frequency and severity of climate-linked diseases are increasing, and stress the need for public awareness and preparedness ahead of the summer season. Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a heatwave alert, forecasting unusually high temperatures across much of Sindh province through April 18. Under the current conditions, daytime maximum temperatures in districts including Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Sukkur are expected to remain 6 to 8°C above normal, Express News reported. Similarly, in Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Hyderabad districts, temperatures may exceed normal ranges by 4 to 6°C, according to the department.
