Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease reported from more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, South-East Europe, and the Middle East. Laboratory findings include prolonged prothrombin, bleeding, and activated partial thromboplastin times. Diagnostic methods include antibody detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), virus isolation, antigen detection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mainstay of treatment is supportive, with careful maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, circulatory volume, and blood pressure. There is no controlled study evaluating oral versus intravenous ribavirin in treating CCHF patients, but few studies have evaluated oral ribavirin. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis of CCHF with especial focus on oral ribavirin as the only choice of medical treatment.