Uganda reports Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases in Yumbe district, One death

Health officials in Yumbe dustrict in northern Uganda report two confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

The two cases include an 18-year-old from Ariwa sub-county and a fatal case in a nine-year-old boy from Lodonga sub-county.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever 101

Sporadic CCHF outbreaks are reported in Uganda annually.

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Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is caused by infection with a tick-borne virus (a nairovirus, CCHF virus).

CCHF virus is spread by contact with infected ticks or animal (e.g., livestock) blood. CCHF virus can be spread from human to human through contact with infectious blood or bodily fluids.

Initial symptoms of CCHF include headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting. As the illness progresses, large areas of severe bruising, severe nosebleeds, and bleeding at injection sites can be seen.

In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in hospitalized patients have ranged from 9% to as high as 50%.