Disease Outbreaks

Reported
20 June 2001
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in
Kosovo - Update 4


  
For the period 18-19 June, 3 new
  suspected cases were registered. From May 18, 2001 to June 19, 2001, 57 suspected CCHF
  cases were registered, out of which 4 have died. Of these, 12 have been classified as
  confirmed (10 laboratory and 2 on clinical/epidemiological grounds). Twenty-seven cases
  are laboratory negative and 18 further suspected cases were still under investigation. Of
  the 12 confirmed cases, 5 were infected through contact with 1 case with haemorrhagic
  disease. The remainder (7) are likely to be primary infections (Source: Institute of
  Public Health, Pristina, Kosovo).
  
Most of the primary infections have occurred in areas of
  Kosovo that have had CCHF activity in previous years. CCHF infections are expected to
  continue throughout the summer and autumn months while ticks are active.
  
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic
  Fever Reference and Research in Ljubljana, Slovenia, continues to provide support in the
  field by extending the stay of their staff member. In addition the North Manchester
  General Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, have provided a clinician with
  specific expertise in hospital infection control who is working to strengthen procedures
  at the isolation unit.
  
A two person WHO rapid assessment team carried out a
  mission to Kosovo from 12 to 15 June 2001. The team worked with the epidemic response
  committee, the Institute for Public Health, the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and WHO
  Kosovo to support the outbreak response in epidemiology, laboratory support, case
  management, hospital infection control, environmental control measures and health
  education.