Dangerous virus, causing death up to 40% appeared in the UK

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced that a woman in the UK has been diagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, following a trip to Central Asia.

According to Bloomberg, the woman was diagnosed by doctors at Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with the virus that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. This is a tick-borne viral disease that is transmitted to domestic animals. This patient was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital London, England.

Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA's medical adviser, said the virus was not easily spread in the community and the risk was very low. This is the third confirmed case in the UK. Previous cases were reported in 2012 and 2014, both without secondary infection.

However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality rate of this disease is quite high, ranging from 10 to 40% of infections, usually in the second week after the person is infected with the virus.

Hyalomma ticks are the main carriers of the disease that transmits Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

In recovered patients, their health improved markedly from day 9 or 10 after the onset of illness. Symptoms that appear suddenly include: fever, muscle aches, dizziness, pain and stiffness in the neck, back pain, headache, eye pain, sensitivity to light.

Patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat at an early stage, followed by mood swings and confusion.

Other signs include a rash in the mouth and throat, a rapid heart rate, and enlarged lymph nodes.

Dr Hopkins said UKHSA was working to trace the woman's close contacts. 'UKHSA and NHS have very good, rigorous infection control procedures in place to deal with imported cases of infectious disease. These regulations will be strictly observed,' she added.

According to Dr Sir Michael Jacobs, consultant in infectious diseases at the Royal Free Hospital London, this is a center dedicated to treating viral infections such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Their senior isolation unit has an expert team of doctors, nurses, therapists, laboratory staff to ensure safe treatment of patients with such types of infections.

The virus that causes this disease has never been detected in the UK community. UKHSA recommends anyone visiting areas where Hyalomma ticks are present to take protective measures such as limiting movement, using tick repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing.

Hyalomma ticks are the main carriers of the disease that transmits Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. According to WHO, humans can also become infected through contact with infected animal tissues during and after slaughter.

These outbreaks were once a threat to public health services because the virus can cause outbreaks, high mortality rates, and many places will put pressure on health systems. This disease is very difficult to prevent and treat. Currently, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is endemic (endemic) in Africa, the Balkans, China, and Asia.

It was first described in 1944 in Crimea and was named Crimean hemorrhagic fever. In 1969, world health officials recognized that the pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever in Crimea was similar to the one that caused the disease in the Congo in 1956. Because of the connection of the two places, the disease was named after such a compound.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the disease-carrying tick has appeared in North Africa and Asia, and is also present in Southern and Eastern Europe.