Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak investigation in the Western Region of Afghanistan in 2008

Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening viral haemorrhagic fever. This paper reports on the first multifocal outbreak recorded in the Afghanistan. The outbreak was detected in 2008 in the Western Region of the country and 30 cases (17 males and 13 females) were detected between 10 July and 22 October 2008. Standard case definitions based on World Health Organization sources were used. Most of the cases (27) occurred in Herat province; 25 were aged between 18–55, 1 was 55 years and 4 were12–18 years (median age was 27 years). The case fatality rate was 33%; 41% among males and 23% among females (P = 0.29). Significantly more patients infected by contact with meat and body fluids died that those whose contact was through animal husbandry or ticks (P = 0.0048). Of the 30 cases, 33 close contacts were traced; 3 were positive for CCHF IgM with no symptomatic evidence of the disease.