Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Pakistan
18 Oct 2013
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is endemic in Pakistan with two peaks of infection during the year between March-May and August-October.
The current outbreak of CCHF in Pakistan is possibly the worst on record due to the scale and geographical distribution of human cases. A total of 77 suspected cases including 15 deaths were reported in the country between 01 January to 29 September 2013. Of these reported cases, 48 were laboratory confirmed.
The worst affected province is Balochistan with 60 cases, however, cases have also been reported from the provinces of: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Fata, Punjab and Sindh.
Advice for Travellers
CCHF is a low risk for the average traveller; it is spread by infected ticks from a reservoir usually in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Avoidance of tick bites is essential in risk areas.