[01] Muhammad Sarwar, National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. [02] Muhammad Haroon Sarwar, Allied Hospital- Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. [03] Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Allied Hospital- Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is caused by infection with a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) in the family Bunyaviridae. Ixodid (hard) ticks, especially those of the genus, Hyalomma, are reservoirs and vectors for the Congo virus. Numerous wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep and hares, serve as amplifying hosts for the virus. Transmission of virus to humans occurs through contact with infected ticks or animal blood. Virus can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infectious blood or body fluids. Familiar spread of virus has also been occurred in hospitals due to improper sterilization of medical equipment, reuse of injection needles and contamination of medical supplies. Therefore, the present article deals to learn more about this disease so that persons can stay safe and healthy during or when there is a greater risk of infection spread. The patient may show general symptoms like high fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, nausea, stomach pain and loose motions. The patient be able to suffer from severe bleeding, jaundice, convulsions and coma. Congo fever causes high grade fever with nose and gum bleeding as well as liver and kidney failure. Congo virus is diagnosed using tests like ELISA, isolation of the virus, antigen detection and polymerase chain reaction. Owing to this disease, there is an estimated 10-30% fatality rate in humans and so far no vaccine is available for use. In such a scenario, the only way to prevent peoples from catching this fever is through creating of awareness and adopting precautionary measures. A person cannot be infected by eating well-cooked infected meat since the virus does not survive during cooking. The treatment for fever is primarily supportive and patient is treated with intravenous fluids and an antiviral drug ribavirin with some benefit. Caution should include careful attention to fluid balance and correction of electrolyte abnormalities, oxygenation and hemodynamic support, and appropriate treatment of secondary infections. Health-care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed fever or handling specimens from them, should implement standard infection control precautions. These include basic hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices and harmless burial practices of waste.

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Virus, Tick, Vaccine, Vector Control

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