Challenges in Diagnosis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Abstract

Abstract Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a serious and fatal disease. Since the disease was first identified in the first half of the last century, it has caused hundreds of fatalities worldwide. Although it is believed that the prognosis for each patient increases with early detection and management, some patients present in the late stage, whereas others may not be detected at all. The risk of disease transmission has increased in many countries in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa for many reasons, especially the existing challenges of the surveillance and control in the human and animal population, the limited testing and diagnostic capacity, increased trading of infected animals, low level of awareness and adherence to preventive measures in some communities, and the climatic changes and other risk factors, which have possibly affected the vector and reservoir activity. Therefore, to have better control of this disease, there should be a lot of effort in close surveillance to the animals and ticks that transmit the disease and to apply stringent preventive measures. This case report reflects how the patients themselves could help save their own lives through possible self-detection or self-diagnosis. The diagnosis of the disease in the 30-year-old male patient reported here was unfortunately missed by 3 health institutions, despite the patient providing a clear history of tick bite, which was followed by typical symptoms. When the patient referred himself for the fourth time, to rule out Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, the diagnosis was made. It is proposed that raising the population's knowledge and awareness about the disease would help individuals and the community at large. Self-detection or self-diagnosis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is not impossible when patients are aware about the disease symptoms and risk factors.