Nosocomial transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in a health care worker, Fars province, Iran

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus causes a severe hemorrhagic syndrome in humans with fatality rate up to 50%. Its transmission to humans is through the bite of Ixodid ticks or by contact with blood or tissues from infected livestock. Patient: By a nosocomial transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a health care worker was infected in December 2008 due to a re-emerging outbreak of CCHF in Fars province, Iran. After admission of probable CCHF cases in a local hospital, one of the nurses contributed in taking care of the patients was infected with CCHF, though it seems that she had not had direct contact with blood and secretions of CCHF patients. The laboratory detected anti-CCHF virus IgM antibody through specific ELISA and also the CCHF virus genome in her serum by real-time and gelbased RT-PCR. She was improved by an alert and on time clinical diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: We recommend that in outbreaks of CCHF, care to prevent airborne transmission should be kept in mind.