What is a Congo virus?
Congo Virus or Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick borne viral disease that infects wild and domestic animals, including livestock.
How is Congo virus transmitted?
Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected ticks or animal blood. CCHF can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infectious blood or body fluids.
What are the symptoms of Congo virus?
The onset of CCHF is sudden, with initial signs and symptoms including headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting. Red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate are common.
Can Congo virus be cured?
There is no safe and effective vaccine available for human and animal use against the CCHF. The only way to reduce the infection is by raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the precautions they can take to decrease the exposure to the virus.
Is there any vaccine for Congo virus?
Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for CCHF. However, the ribavirin has been recommended as a therapeutic option in early human infections, but its efficacy has not been confirmed in clinical trials.
Is Congo virus fatal?
The CCHF causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10–40%.
How can the Congo virus be prevented?
Prevention and control of CCHF infection is achieved by avoiding or minimising exposure to infected ticks by using tick repellents. Wearing protective clothing and early and correct removal of ticks are recommended.
Is Congo fever airborne?
Highlights. We demonstrate that airborne transmission of CCHF is a real risk. Airborne precautions are essential during any aerosol-generating procedures.
Is there a cure for CCHF?
Treatment for CCHF is primarily supportive. Care should include careful attention to fluid balance and correction of electrolyte abnormalities, oxygenation and hemodynamic support, and appropriate treatment of secondary infections. The virus is sensitive in vitro to the antiviral drug ribavirin.
How can Congo fever be prevented?
What causes Congo fever?
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in humans is a disease caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV). CCHFV is transmitted by bites from infected ticks (mainly of the Hyalomma genus) or by direct contact with blood or tissues of infected ticks, viraemic patients or viraemic livestock.