Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) activity in Turkey
Turkey is currently experiencing an increase in Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) activity. Between 1st January and 30th June 2006, 323 individuals were investigated for CCHF. Of these, 150 cases were laboratory confirmed and included 11 fatal cases. The number of cases and fatalities observed in 2006 to date is suggestive of increased disease activity.
Most of the persons investigated for CCHF were infected through tick bites. Public awareness campaigns in Turkey are ongoing, stressing the adoption of personal protective measures to avoid tick bites, and targeting the rural population through television, radio, posters and leaflets.
WHO and the Turkish Ministry of Health are working together closely to monitor CCHF disease activity in Turkey.
WHO media report of increased CCHF activity in Turkey: http://www.euro.who.int/surveillance/outbreaks/20060706_2
For general information on Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever go to: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs208/en/
For information on avoidance of insect bites go to http://www.dnsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/TravelAdviceforInternationalTravellers/