Hasan BOZBEY/BURSA,(DHA)-BURSA in Doruk Yıldırım Hospital Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases specialist Dr. Meltem Öner warned about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a viral disease that is transmitted by ticks and causes zoonotic infection.
Stating that Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is one of the most common viral hemorrhagic fevers in the world, Dr. Meltem Öner, “CCHF virus is transmitted through ticks or as a result of contact with the blood and body fluids of infected humans or animals. The disease was first seen in Turkey in 2002, more than 10 thousand cases were reported between 2002 and 2016, and the mortality rate is around 5 percent. “People get CCHF virus mostly through ticks,” he said.
Pointing out that Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever usually starts in April-May in our country and continues until October, according to seasonal conditions, Doruk Yıldırım Hospital Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases specialist Dr. Meltem Öner said, “This is because ticks, which are carriers of the disease, are active in the summer. At the same time, people’s encounter with ticks increases during this period. CCHF is not specific to any age group. The most important risk factors for contracting the disease are dealing with agriculture and animal husbandry and a history of visiting rural areas. In addition, laboratory and health workers are also at risk for nosocomial transmission.
“A FLU-LIKE TABLE OCCUR AT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE DISEASE”
Stating that the virus entered the body as a result of tick or blood contact, Dr. Meltem Öner, “Especially in rural areas, crushing ticks collected from pets with bare hands can cause infection. After an incubation period of 1-7 days, some people may experience widespread muscle aches, fever, fatigue, malaise, headache, and diarrhea after ingestion of the virus. In the first stage of the disease, a flu-like picture occurs. It is recommended that patients see a doctor in the early period when they detect these findings. It is effective if ribavirin, the only antiviral drug, can be started in the early period. The clinical course is quite rapid, it can end with death in 7-10 days.
“THE PERSONS WHO WORK IN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS AND CARRY OUT OF LIVESTOCK ARE AT RISK”
Doruk Yıldırım Hospital Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases specialist Dr. Meltem Öner said the following about protection against ticks:
“People living in endemic areas should pay attention to personal protection measures such as staying away from areas where ticks are concentrated, checking whether ticks are attached frequently, and covering open parts of the body. Veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, those working outdoors and those dealing with livestock are at risk. Workers who slaughter animals can get the disease. It has been suggested in some cases that exposure to ticks during slaughter constitutes the principal risk. Those dealing with livestock should use gloves and long aprons and should not come into contact with infected tissue and blood. In addition, skin protective chemicals can be used. The popular saying ‘to remove the tick, pour liquid soap on it’, ‘form a piece of cotton into a ball and pour soap on it to cover it completely with soap, it will come out on its own after 15-20 seconds’ is false information. The tick should be removed as soon as possible before smashing and bursting. It should be grasped with a fine-tipped forceps from the closest part of the tick to the body and pulled out with a constant and continuous force.
CCHF TREATMENT
Noting that there may be some difficulties in the recognition and monitoring of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Doruk Yıldırım Hospital Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases specialist Dr. While completing her explanations, Meltem Öner said, “Reasons such as the serious course of the disease, the risk of secondary spread, causing panic among the public, and not being recognized by physicians are some of these difficulties. In treatment, the use of ribavirin, an antiviral drug, should be considered, as well as the use of fluid replacement and blood products. Among the antiviral alternatives, ribavirin is the most effective drug against CCHF virus in in vitro studies. Ribavirin has been found useful in observational studies. In case of high-risk contact with CCHF in healthcare workers, prophylaxis with ribavirin is recommended. To date, no deaths have been observed in patients who have been given ribavirin after exposure. “To accept that ribavirin is useful in post-exposure prophylaxis means to accept that the drug is also effective in the early stages of the disease.”
