Maharashtra: Palghar under alert due to rise of congo fever

Devyani Goswami, Amity University 

As if the devastation caused by the ongoing pandemic was not enough that the health officials of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) have confirmed four new cases of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever ( CCHF). Palghar, Maharashtra is under strict alert due to the same. India had earlier in 2011 reported two cases of CCHF with one fatality case. Although there were no severe cases of viral infection, though on testing most of the life stocks ( e.g.: sheep, goat, pig, cows ), as well as humans, showed the presence of the viral antibodies.

Congo fever is caused by ticks. These ticks are the source of the transmission of the Nairovirus (order: Bunyavirales). These ticks are present on the skin of livestock, although the host of the virus are humans. The transmission of these viruses is possible when humans come in contact with the fluids  (eg:  blood,  milk,  saliva),  meats of the infected animals.  Human to human transmission is also possible following the above-mentioned method. Direct transmission from tick bites is also possible.

Just like any other viral infection, the symptoms are quite common like high fever, joint pain, parched throat with red spots on the palate, which are the common symptoms. As the disease progress further to bruises in the bit area and hemorrhagic phase. There is a fatality of 45-65% of cases due to multiple organ failure.

The structure of Nairovirus is common to most of the viruses of order Bunyavirales. It has spike proteins on its outer envelope. The genomic contents of the virus are small(S), medium (M), large(L) RNAs. They enter the host through fluids, attach to the host cells via the interaction of the spike proteins and the receptor on the host cells. Upon entering the host cell undergoes multiple steps of translation and RNA replication to produce a completely new virion. Later these virions burst open the cell and infect other cells.

Currently, there is no available vaccine for this virus as the genome of the virus undergoes a huge amount of mutation. Due to this constant mutation, coming up with an effective vaccine that would work on all types equally is quite troublesome. Although early diagnosis and supportive care in the form of blood, platelet, and plasma replacement has proven to be life-saving in many cases.

The ongoing pandemic has already taken a huge toll on our health care officials. Is India ready for another epidemic on top of the ongoing pandemic remains in the dark?

REFERENCE: 1) An Update on Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Suma B Appannanavar and Baijayantimala Mishrahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3162818/#:~:text=Crimean%20Congo% 20hemorrhagic%20fever%20(CCHF, genus%20Nairovirus%20(family%20Bunyaviridae).

2) Signs and symptoms of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever ( CCHF) https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/crimean-congo/symptoms/index.html 

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