Clinical and molecular epidemiology of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Oman

by Seif S. Al-Abri, Roger Hewson, Hanan Al-Kindi, Idris Al-Abaidani, Amina Al-Jardani, Amal Al-Maani, Samira Almahrouqi, Barry Atkinson, Adil Al-Wahaibi, Bader Al-Rawahi, Shyam Bawikar, Nicholas J. Beeching BackgroundCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a serious disease with a high fatality rate reported in many countries. The first case of CCHF in Oman was detected in 1995 and serosurveys have suggested widespread infection of humans and livestock throughout the country. MethodologyCases of CCHF reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Oman between 1995 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by serology and/or molecular tests in Oman. Stored RNA from recent cases was studied by sequencing the complete open reading frame (ORF) of the viral S segment at Public Health England, enabling phylogenetic comparisons to be made with other S segments of strains obtained from the region. FindingsOf 88 cases of CCHF, 4 were sporadic in 1995 and 1996, then none were detected until 2011. From 2011 –2017, incidence has steadily increased and 19 (23.8%) of 80 cases clustered around Eid Al Adha. The median (range) age was 33 (15–68) years and 79 (90%) were male. The major risk for infection was contact with animals and/or butchering in 73/88 (83%) and only one case was related to tick bites alone. Severe cases were over-represented: 64 (72.7%) had a platelet count
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research