Epidemiological, Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Abstract

Objective: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the leading viral hemorrhagic fever, widely seen throughout the world. The aim of this study was to review CCHF patients followed up in Erzu-rum Oltu State Hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made of the epidemiological characteristics and clinical findings of 57 patients who presented at our hospital between January 2011 and September 2012, and were diagnosed with CCHF, confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test. Results: The 57 patients comprised 33 (57.89%) males and 24 (42.11%) females with a mean age of 44.21±19.82 years (range, 5-77 years). The most CCHF cases were seen in May and June. A history of contact with animals was reported by 61.40% of the patients, a tick bite by 36.84% and one patient was infected from contact with the secretions of an infected patient. The complaints on presentation were mostly high fever, fatigue and headache. Conclusion: In a larger proportion of the patients, there is no history of a known tick bite. Therefore, in endemic regions, awareness should be raised through public education meetings giving information about people at particular risk, protection from the disease, symptoms, routes of infection, and means of protection.