Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a hemorrhagic fever caused by a tickborne virus. The disease was first described as hemorrhagic diseases in 1944 in the Crimea and later in 1969 in the Congo, hence the current name of the disease. CCHF is endemic in many countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, and during 2001, cases or outbreaks have been recorded in Kosovo, Albania, Iran, Pakistan, and South Africa. The geographical distribution of the virus—like that of its tick vector—is widespread. Evidence of CCHF virus has been found in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.