The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 47 people have died from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2023.
In the 27th week of 2023, 30 new cases of CCHF were identified, bringing the total number of positive cases in 32 provinces to 494.
The majority of cases (99.8%) were among individuals over the age of 5, with 28.5% of cases being females.
The provinces with the most positive CCHF cases are Kandahar, Helmand, Balkh, and Kabul.
WHO also reported three additional deaths, bringing the total number of CCHF-related deaths to 47 since the beginning of 2023. These deaths were reported in two provinces.
CCHF-associated deaths have been reported in a total of 16 provinces, with Kabul having the highest number of deaths (19). Other provinces with reported deaths include Balkh, Takhar, Parwan, Jawzjan, Kandahar, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Faryab, Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Paktia, Sar-e-pul, and Maidan Wardak, each with varying numbers of fatalities.
CCHF is a viral disease transmitted to humans through ticks and livestock. Health experts say that the cases of Congo disease increase every year during the Eid al-Adha in Afghanistan. Symptoms include headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting.
