Congo Virus: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

Recently the health experts advised the citizens to take special care to protect themselves from a widely spread virus i.e. Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) which can be easily transmitted through the infected cattle as well as through the infected humans.

SYMPTOMS OF CONGO VIRUS:

There are few noticeable symptoms of Congo virus:

• High fever
• Headache
• Pain in joints and muscles
• Nausea
• Pain in stomach
• Loose motions

Other clinical symptoms include fast heart rate, enlarged lymph nodes, and a rash in the mouth, throat and on the skin. There is a usual evidence of hepatitis and severely ill patients suffer rapid kidney deterioration, sudden liver failure or pulmonary failure after the fifth day of illness. Through this fever the death is likely to occur during the 2nd week of illness and death rate is 30%.

PREVENTIONS:

Gloves should be used while handling sacrificial animals, one should wear full sleeves and long trousers, light colour dresses, notably during slaughtering, butchering and culling procedures in slaughter houses or at home.

Avoid physical contact with the infected human and use gloves and other protective equipment while taking care of the infected person.

Properly cook the meat and use chemical sprays to kill the ticks.

TREATMENT:

There is NO known vaccine for this virus to use in animals but in the case of humans, this fever can be treated using Ribavirin, which is an antiviral drug. Ribavirin can be given both orally and intravenously as prescribed by the physician. It is not a specific treatment protocol but it must start immediately after the virus detection when required by the physician’s prescription (reported by WHO, Ministry of Health Govt. of Pakistan and National Institute of Health, Islamabad).