What should you know about crimean congo hemorrhagic fever?

The virus can be transmitted by certain ticks or contact with infected animal blood or tissues, especially during slaughter or veterinary work. Transmission between people can occur through contact with blood or other body fluids. Early illness may include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle aches, dizziness, back pain, stomach symptoms and marked weakness. Bruising, bleeding or a widespread rash can appear as the illness progresses.

Fever alone does not identify this infection; Acute Bronchitis, Brucellosis, Chickenpox, COVID-19 and other illnesses can also cause fever. Recent travel, tick exposure, contact with livestock, healthcare exposure, and the timing of symptoms are important details.

Seek urgent medical advice and explain the possible exposure before arriving at a clinic or hospital. Follow instructions about where to go and how to avoid close contact with others. Do not handle blood, vomit, urine or other body fluids without appropriate protection, and do not share towels, razors or needles. If a tick is attached, avoid crushing it and ask for safe removal advice.

Healthcare teams use infection-control precautions and may arrange specialist testing and supportive treatment. Do not wait for bleeding to begin before seeking advice when sudden fever follows a relevant exposure.

Get emergency help for sudden fever after tick or animal-blood exposure, severe weakness, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bruising, bleeding, or rapidly worsening illness. Tell responders about travel, occupation, animal contact and any healthcare exposure so precautions can be arranged.

Could my recent tick, animal or healthcare exposure be relevant? Which symptoms should make me call emergency services? How should I isolate from household members while I am assessed? What testing and monitoring are needed? Who should be notified about a possible contact?