Dr. Adel Al-Balbisi, head of the National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases Control, confirmed that the Kingdom has not recorded any cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) for decades.
اضافة اعلان
He stressed, however, that this does not mean vigilance should be abandoned; rather, full preparedness is essential to deal with any potential cases, especially in light of infections being reported in some neighboring countries. He explained that CCHF is a serious viral disease belonging to the Bunyaviridae family.
He noted that the disease is endemic in many regions, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. The name derives from Crimea (Ukraine) and Congo, where it was first identified.
The virus is usually transmitted through bites from infected ticks or by direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected animals or humans. Traditional animal slaughter without protective measures poses a risk, and the virus can also spread in hospitals from patients to healthcare workers if proper precautions are not taken.
Symptoms appear suddenly and typically start with fever, headache, muscle pain, bleeding from the mouth or nose, skin rash, and extreme fatigue. In severe cases, symptoms may include internal and external bleeding, which can lead to death.
Dr. Al-Balbisi explained that the incubation period depends on the method of infection. After a tick bite, it generally ranges from 1 to 3 days, with a maximum of 9 days. When infection occurs through contact with contaminated blood or tissues, the incubation period is usually 5 to 6 days, and in some documented cases, up to 13 days.
Diagnosis can be made through laboratory blood tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen detection, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus isolation via cell culture.
Regarding prevention, Al-Balbisi noted that while a vaccine has been developed and used in a limited capacity in parts of Eastern Europe, there is currently no safe and effective vaccine available for widespread human use.
In the absence of an effective vaccine, the primary means of prevention remains raising awareness about risk factors and educating the public on behaviors and measures that help reduce exposure to the virus.
He emphasized the importance of reducing the risk of tick-to-human transmission by wearing long protective clothing, using approved insect repellents on skin and clothing, and avoiding areas with high tick activity, especially during peak seasons.
To limit animal-to-human transmission, he highlighted the importance of controlling ticks on livestock through regular spraying with safe and effective pesticides, and wearing gloves and protective clothing when handling animals or their tissues—especially in areas where the disease is endemic and during slaughter at abattoirs or homes.
Al-Balbisi also stressed the importance of spraying animals with pesticides at least two weeks before slaughter, avoiding direct physical contact with infected individuals, taking precautions when caring for infected patients, wearing protective gear, and maintaining hand hygiene after visiting or treating those infected.
