Hassan Nasirian, Seyyed Amir Yasin Ahmadi, Jalil Nejati, Mehdi Zanganeh Baygi
Although there is a decreasing trend in the incidence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran, targeted interventions are needed to strengthen prevention, diagnosis and treatment, especially during the winter months.
BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a life-threatening vector-borne disease prevalent in many parts of the world.
AIM: To analyse and document the trend of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever cases and fatality in Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Islamic Republic of Iran from 2018 to 2024.
METHODS: Data on suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever for 2018-2024 were collected from the Communicable Disease Center of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran, and analysed using SPSS 27 and Stata 17.
RESULTS: Of the 433 registered cases, 91 were confirmed and 16 were probable. Fatality rate was 11%. The highest number of cases was reported in 2019 (n = 167) and the lowest was in 2024 (n = 15), indicating a decreasing trend. The number of cases was higher during the winter months (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Although there is a decreasing trend in the incidence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran, targeted interventions are needed to strengthen prevention, diagnosis and treatment, especially during the winter months.