Dr. Jessica Pelletier, Dr. Lawrence Mendy, Dr. Elicana Nduhuura, and Malan Alfred Opoka discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF).

Take-Home Points:

• CCHF is a severe tick-borne viral illness caused by CCHFV, occurring in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Europe.
• Transmission is primarily via Hyalomma tick bites, but also through contact with infected animal tissues or the blood/body fluids of infected patients.
• High-risk groups include farmers, livestock handlers, abattoir workers, veterinarians, hunters, military personnel, healthcare workers, and travelers to endemic areas.
• CCHF progresses through four phases: incubation, prehemorrhagic, hemorrhagic, and convalescent. Early symptoms are nonspecific (fever, headache, myalgia, back pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness). Hemorrhagic signs (e.g., petechiae, epistaxis, hematemesis) indicate severe disease.
• Labs often show thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and DIC.
• Diagnosis is by RT-PCR in the acute phase; serology (IgM/IgG) is useful later.
• Management is supportive: isolation, fluids, blood products, and avoidance of NSAIDs. Ribavirin is commonly used, though mortality benefit is uncertain.
• Mortality ranges from 10–40%, depending on severity and complications (e.g., shock, DIC, multiorgan failure).
• Prevention includes tick avoidance, protective equipment, animal handling precautions, and infection control in healthcare settings.

You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jDZcgifY0BKCgB3fzPxzePjcu_eOfJYSFEqhAAhg-IA/edit?usp=sharing

Image attribution: generated with Adobe Firefly using this image as a reference:

By Adam Cuerden - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3148918

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Credit goes to Nakamatte Swaburah for assisting Dr. Pelletier with the writing of the podcast transcript.