TWO CASES OF CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN GJINAJ, KUKES, ALBANI

Abstract

Introduction: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by RNA virus (Nairovirus family: Bunyaviridae). CCHF can cause severe infection in humans with a fatality rate of 25%-30%. Typically signs are a headache, agitation, high fever, mood instability, muscular pain, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia or leukocytosis, nosebleeds and black stools with 1-7 days' incubation period. Albania represents an endemic country for CCHF, with an important incidence of morbidity and mortality. During the last three years, we have also evidenced family outbreaks, which have been characterized in different clinical manifestation, laboratory data, and prognosis.

Case Presentation: This study reports about two human Crimean-Congo fever cases in Gjinaj - Kukesi city in Albania MARCH 2017. During the March 2017, two cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were observed in Kukesi district. The first blood sample using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was sent looking for HF, CCHF and HFRS, and leptospirosis. HFRS and leptospirosis resulted in negative. The repeated serology for CCHF came strongly positive after five days from the initial negative test, and accordingly, patients started on ribavirin and are responded to it.

Conclusions: The main reasons for the transfer of CCHF in this cases, contact with the animal, deal with livestock, the lack of sufficient monitoring of herds, lack of inspection of livestock and Insufficient education and awareness of the dangers diseases are zoonotic. Public education, respect for individual health issues and prevention of vector-borne diseases, can help to eliminate diseases such as CCHF.