A case of Crimean-Congo Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (CCVHF) has been diagnosed for the first time in the UK. The 38-year-old man had visited Afghanistan and fell ill a few days after he returned to Glasgow on a flight from Dubai. He has now been admitted to a specialist unit in the Royal Free Hospital in London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-19846300

The clinical features show common dramatic progress characterized by hemorrhage, myalgia, and fever. Besides the direct infection of endothelium, indirect damage by viral or virus mediated host-derived soluble factors that cause endothelial activations and dysfunction occur. In diagnosis, enzyme linked immunoassay and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction are used. Early diagnosis is critical for the patient and potential nosocomial infections. Supportive therapy is the essential part of the case management. Ribavirin was suggested as an effective drug in recent studies, and it was found to be beneficial. [1]

CCVHF is an Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Hazard Group 4 pathogen. Updated guidance on management of these viral haemorrhagic fevers was updated by the Department of Health in July this year. It includes advice on the transfer of confirmed cases to one of the UK’s high security infectious disease units.

1. Ergonul O. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus: new outbreaks, new discoveries. Curr Opin Virol 2012 Apr;2(2):215–220. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22482717