Disease Outbreaks
Reported
11 June 2001
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Kosovo -
Update
The etiology of the disease reported
on 8 June has now been laboratory confirmed as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
(CCHF). The WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and
Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a partner in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response
Network, reported to WHO on 9 June that multiple samples received late on 8 June were
positive when tested by PCR and anti-CCHF virus IgM assays. A staff member from the
collaborating centre in Slovenia traveled to Pristina, Kosovo to assist with the
collection and handling of the specimens.
WHO has been requested to provide further technical
assistance to the Kosovo health authorities.
For further information about CCHF, click here for the WHO Fact Sheet.
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