Four persons among the 15 people infected with the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever this year, have died in Mazandaran, Kerman, Kermanshah and Khorasan Razavi provinces, said Dr. Mahmoud Nabavi, deputy health minister for contagious diseases.
“The toll has not increased since last year,” he was quoted by ILNA as saying on the disease that has stirred concern.
Nabavi stressed that people should check the veterinary seal of approval on the meat before making purchases and keep meat products in the fridge for 24 hours before use, to kill any kind of infection including the virus, as it stays alive in the host body for up to two weeks.
Sheepfolds in the country are fumigated twice a year by the Iran Veterinary Organization and importing livestock – which usually occurs on the eastern borders – is banned.
“People working in slaughterhouses in Sistan-Baluchestan Province are advised to use masks, gloves, and boots and refrigerate the meat for 24 hours,” Nabavi said.
The CCHF virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks and has fatality rate of up to 40%. The virus is primarily transmitted to people from ticks and livestock animals. It is most common during warm seasons and is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, Middle East and Asia. There is no vaccine for people or animals to treat the disease.
