Silent killer strikes during Eid-Ul-Adha: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, 2023

IF 4 3区 医学 Q1 INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Asad Zia , Arshad Islam , Syeda Aiman , Salman Khan , Khizar Abdullah Khan , Mubarak Ali Khan , Khalid Rehman , Anwar Ullah , Muhammad Sohaib , Aakash Ahmad Khattak , Muhammad Ishfaq , Matiullah Khattak , Massab Umair , Yasar Mehmood Yousafzai
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) poses a significant public health threat, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where its prevalence and epidemiological distribution remain poorly documented. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, prevalence, and transmission dynamics of the 2023 CCHFV outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the Eid-ul-Adha season.

Methods

From April to July 2023, 109 suspected cases were enrolled. Laboratory confirmation was performed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data were analyzed to identify high-risk groups and outbreak dynamics.

Results

Out of the suspected cases, 15 (13.76 %) were confirmed CCHFV positive, with males comprising 80 % of cases (n = 12). The highest prevalence (33.33 %) was recorded in Peshawar district, and 53 % of cases had a history of animal exposure. A significant spike (5 cases) occurred in the 29th epidemiological week, following Eid-ul-Adha. Clinical symptoms included fever, body aches, confusion, and bleeding episodes. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 26.67 % (male-specific CFR: 33.33 %), while all female patients recovered.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the critical public health concern posed by CCHFV in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The heightened risk associated with Eid-ul-Adha, coupled with age and gender demographics, necessitates targeted awareness initiatives, preventive strategies, and strengthened surveillance during peak risk periods to mitigate transmission and prevent future outbreaks. However, it’s important to acknowledge the study’s limitations, such as the relatively small sample size, potential selection bias, and the absence of a control group.

Future directions

Future research with larger sample sizes and more comprehensive data collection is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of CCHFV in this region
开斋节期间无声的杀手袭击:2023年巴基斯坦开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省克里米亚-刚果出血热爆发。
背景:克里米亚-刚果出血热病毒(CCHFV)构成重大的公共卫生威胁,特别是在巴基斯坦开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省,其流行率和流行病学分布仍然缺乏记录。本研究旨在调查开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省2023年开斋节期间CCHFV疫情的流行病学、流行情况和传播动态。方法:2023年4月至7月,纳入109例疑似病例。采用实时逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)进行实验室确认。分析了人口统计学、临床和流行病学数据,以确定高危人群和疫情动态。结果:疑似病例中确诊CCHFV阳性15例(13.76%),其中男性占80% (n = 12)。白沙瓦地区的流行率最高(33.33%),53%的病例有动物接触史。在古尔邦节之后的第29个流行病学周出现了显著高峰(5例)。临床症状包括发热、身体疼痛、意识不清和出血发作。病死率(CFR)为26.67%(男性特异性CFR为33.33%),女性患者全部康复。结论:这些发现强调了开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省CCHFV造成的严重公共卫生问题。古尔邦节相关的风险增加,加上年龄和性别人口统计数据,需要在风险高峰期间采取有针对性的提高认识行动、预防战略和加强监测,以减轻传播并预防未来的疫情。然而,重要的是要承认这项研究的局限性,比如样本量相对较小,潜在的选择偏差,以及缺乏对照组。未来发展方向:今后开展更大样本量和更全面数据收集的研究,对该地区CCHFV的流行病学和传播动态有更深入的了解。
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来源期刊
Journal of Infection and Public Health
Journal of Infection and Public Health PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH -INFECTIOUS DISEASES
CiteScore
13.10
自引率
1.50%
发文量
203
审稿时长
96 days
期刊介绍: The Journal of Infection and Public Health, first official journal of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and the Saudi Association for Public Health, aims to be the foremost scientific, peer-reviewed journal encompassing infection prevention and control, microbiology, infectious diseases, public health and the application of healthcare epidemiology to the evaluation of health outcomes. The point of view of the journal is that infection and public health are closely intertwined and that advances in one area will have positive consequences on the other. The journal will be useful to all health professionals who are partners in the management of patients with communicable diseases, keeping them up to date. The journal is proud to have an international and diverse editorial board that will assist and facilitate the publication of articles that reflect a global view on infection control and public health, as well as emphasizing our focus on supporting the needs of public health practitioners. It is our aim to improve healthcare by reducing risk of infection and related adverse outcomes by critical review, selection, and dissemination of new and relevant information in the field of infection control, public health and infectious diseases in all healthcare settings and the community.
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