Palghar district on alert over Congo fever; Here's everything you need to know about the deadly Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

The world is fighting to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Amid the pandemic, a news of a possible spread of the Congo fever in Palghar district of Maharashtra has added to the worry of the administration. 

The Palghar administration on Tuesday has directed the authorities to remain alert against a possible spread of the Congo fever in Palghar district.

The fever is a matter of concern for cattle- breeders, meat-sellers and animal husbandry officials, and it is necessary to take timely precautions as there is no specific and useful treatment for the CCHF, said the administration

Palghar animal husbandry department's deputy commissioner Dr Prashant D Kamble in a circular said the CCHF has been found in some districts of Gujarat, and is likely to spread to border districts of Maharashtra.

Palghar is close to Gujarat's Valsad district. The department has instructed authorities to take all necessary precautions and implement preventive measures.

What is Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)?
- The Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo fever, spreads in humans through ticks. The CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick- borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family. The virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10 to 40 per cent, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

How does the virus spread?
-  This viral disease is transmitted from one animal to another by a specific type of tick...the disease is transmitted to humans through contact with the blood of infected animals and by eating the meat of infected animals.

What are chances of survival if a person contracts the disease?
- If the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time, 30 percent of patients die.

Is there a vaccine to treat this fever?
- There is no vaccine available for either people or animals against the disease.

How does the virus spread?
- Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.

According to the WHO, hospital-acquired infections can also occur due to improper sterilisation of medical equipment, reuse of needles and contamination of medical supplies,