Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in South Africa

The following background data are abstracted from Gideon www.GideonOnline.com and the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Time and Place: The first indigenous case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in South Africa was reported in 1981 – fatal infection acquired in Transvaal. - At the time of the report, 7% of persons in the area were found to be seropositive. - Highest incidence is reported in the Karoo, the Western Free State, the Northern Cape and North West Province. - Most patients are farmers, farm laborers, hunters or abattoir workers. - 101 cases were reported during 1981 to 1992; 81 during 1993 to 2010. - 16 outbreaks were reported among animals during 1981 to 1986. - Imported cases were reported in 1985 (from Democratic Republic of Congo) and 1986 (from Tanzania). CCHF: Reported cases and deaths per year – see graph [3] : Seroprevalence surveys: 100% of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), 54% of rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simium and Diceros bicornis), 46% of eland (Taurotragus oryx), 19.5% of buffalo (Syncerus caffer), 22% of kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), 17% of zebra (Equus burchelli), 6.0% of domestic dogs, 13.7% of hares, 1.7% of rodents and 0% of primates (South Africa and Zimbabwe, 1987 publication) 28% of cattle (1987 publication) Vectors: - The principal vector is Hyalomma truncatum. - H. marginatum rufipes and H. m. turanicum have also been incriminated. Notable outbreaks: 1984 – An outbreak (5 cases, 1 fatal) of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic f...
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