article information

Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases: Vol.6, issue 1; 47-50
article type: Case Report

Nosocomial Transmission of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in a Health Care Worker, Fars Province, Iran

authors:

avatar Morteza Pourahmad 1 , * , avatar Rahim Raoofi 1 , avatar Sadegh Chinikar 2 , avatar Arash Ghalyanchi Langeroudi 2

Department of Infectious Diseases, Jahrom Medical University of Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran
Laboratory of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran

how to cite: Pourahmad M, Raoofi R, Chinikar S, Ghalyanchi Langeroudi A. Nosocomial Transmission of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in a Health Care Worker, Fars Province, Iran. Arch Clin Infect Dis. 2011;6(1): 47-50. 

Abstract

Background:

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus causes a severe hemorrhagic syndrome in humans with fatality rate up to 50%. Its transmission to humans is through the bite of Ixodid ticks or by contact with blood or tissues from infected livestock.

Patient and Method:

By a nosocomial transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a health care worker was infected in December 2008 due to a re-emerging outbreak of CCHF in Fars province, Iran. After admission of probable CCHF cases in a local hospital, one of the nurses contributed in taking care of the patients was infected with CCHF, though it seems that she had not had direct contact with blood and secretions of CCHF patients. The laboratory detected anti-CCHF virus IgM antibody through specific ELISA and also the CCHF virus genome in her serum by real-time and gelbased RT-PCR. She was improved by an alert and on time clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion:

We recommend that in outbreaks of CCHF, care to prevent airborne transmission should be kept in mind.

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