The First Outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease in Northwest of Iran

Purpose Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever which is transmitted by tick bites, or through contact with infected animal tissues or secretions during and immediately post slaughter. It can be responsible for severe outbreaks in humans. Methods We have explained 10 patients of CCHF, which was acquired during the first outbreak in northwest of Iran. All 10 patients were admitted to our hospital and all were treated promptly by ribavirin. Results In this outbreak, 51 blood samples were collected from suspected patients and sent to Pasteur Institute of Iran for additional assessments. CCHF was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 19.60% of patients. Conclusion High movement of livestock and vectors in spring and summer seasons is one of the major causes of virus circulation in northwestern Iran.