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...
Source: GIDEON blog - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Dr. Stephen Berger Tags: Ebooks Epidemiology Graphs ProMED Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever South Africa Source Type: blogs