What is Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever? 

CCHF is a zoonotic disease caused by the CCHF virus, a Nairovirus which is member of the Bunyaviridae family of viruses. CCHF virus is transmitted by argasid or ixodid ticks (i.e. hard ticks) which feed on a range of livestock including cattle, ostriches and wildlife including ungulates and hares.

Persons may be infected through tick bites, or contact with infected animal products (i.e. infected blood and tissues). CCHF virus causes a haemorrhagic fever – patients present with fever, rash, bleeding. The majority of patients recover, but up to 30% develop severe illness with multi-organ failure and have a fatal outcome.