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Bunyavirus-Related Hemorrhagic Fevers

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

  • Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is a tick-borne virus of the Nairovirus genus

  • 1944: First characterized in Crimea during an outbreak among agricultural workers and subsequently called the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

  • 1969: virus re-recognized as a cause of illness in the Congo

  • Found in Eastern Europe, northern China, central Asia, India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa

  • Sudden onset of headache, high fever, back, joint & stomach pain, and vomiting

  • As illness proceeds, can lead to bleeding beginning on the fourth day of illness and lasting for two weeks

  • Diagnosed via ELISA and RT-PCR

  • Supportive treatment for fluid balance, also responds to ribavirin

Image from Centers for Disease Control Website

Rift Valley Fever Virus

  • Acute fever caused by Rift Valley Fever virus

  • Primarily infects domesticated animals but can also infect humans

  • Virus is of the Phlebovirus genus

  • Transmitted by mosquitoes (several species); outbreaks often occur during years of heavy rainfall and localized flooding

  • Generally found in eastern and southern Africa, where sheep and cattle are raised

  • Can lead to significant economic loss due to sick livestock

  • Spillovers into human populations have occurred, notably in 1977 in Egypt and 1987 in the Senegal River area

  • Diagnosed via ELISA and PCR during early phases of illness

  • Most human cases are mild and self-limiting

  • Most common complication for humans is an inflammation fo the retina, leading to 1-10% of patients to have permanent vision loss. 

  • Incubation period of 2-6 days with fever, weakness, back pain, and dizziness as the most common symptoms

Image from Centers for World Health Organization

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

  • Group of illnesses caused by hantaviruses, including Hantaan, Dobrava, Saaremaa, Seoul, and Puumala

  • Found around the world; each virus has a characteristic region

  • Eastern Asia: Hantaan virus

  • Europe: Puumala Virus

  • Balkans: Dobrava Virus

  • Worldwide: Seoul Virus

  • Central Europe & Scandinavia: Saaremaa Virus

  • Transmitted by rodents (natural reservoir); roden control is primary prevention

  • Typical incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks

  • Initial symptoms include sudden headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, and blurred vision

  • Later symptoms include low blood pressure, vascular leakage, and acute kidney failure, leading to fluid overload

  • Diagnosed via hantavirus antigen in tissue via immunohistochemical staining

  • Can be fatal

Image of Hantavirus from Virology Online 

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