Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) — Transmission, Symptoms & Public Health Significance

UPSC Relevance: Science & Technology | Health | Environment

Key Facts

  • CCHF = Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.

  • A viral haemorrhagic fever.

  • Mainly transmitted through infected ticks, particularly Hyalomma ticks.

  • Can also spread through contact with infected animal blood/tissues.

  • Important zoonotic disease.

  • Human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with infected blood/body fluids.

  • Case fatality ratio can be approximately 10–40%.

Symptoms

  • Sudden fever.

  • Muscle pain.

  • Headache.

  • Dizziness.

  • Abdominal pain.

  • Vomiting/diarrhoea.

  • Haemorrhagic manifestations in severe cases.

UPSC Concept

Climate change → changes in tick distribution → potential expansion of vector-borne diseases.

Prelims Pointers

  • CCHF is a viral, not bacterial, disease.

  • Vector → ticks.

  • Reservoir/amplifying hosts → livestock and wild animals.

  • Important occupational risk → livestock handlers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers and healthcare workers.