Hamdard Enayatullah, Zahir Ahmadullah, Karwand Babrak, Nazari Zabih Ullah, Shi Fangxiong
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Veterinary Science Faculty, Kunduz University, Kunduz city, Kunduz, Afghanistan.
Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Kandahar, Afghanistan.
J Infect Public Health. 2025 Jan;18(1):102591. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102591. Epub 2024 Nov 17.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease with a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 10-40 %. It spreads from livestock to humans primarily through tick bites. It is crucial to monitor the peak months of this endemic disease in Afghanistan. Currently, the country is grappling with a potential national outbreak of CCHF, facing limitations in both diagnostic and preventive measures. Therefore, this study aims to describe CCHF prevalence during spike months (June-September) from 2015 to 2024, coinciding with Eid-al-Adha, and assess CCHF familiarity among inhabitants in eight regions of Afghanistan.
We have analyzed the National Surveillance System data (2015-2024) on retrospective basis. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess CCHF knowledge among inhabitants of eight regions. Data analysis included percentages, frequencies, chi-square tests, using SPSS and power BI.
The national surveillance system recorded 1796 CCHF confirmed cases with 238 deaths during spike months from 2015 to 2024. The highest number of Reported cases was in 2023 (734 cases, 78 deaths), followed by 2022 (221 cases). During Eid-al-Adha months from 2015 to 2024, there were 804 CCHF cases and 176 deaths, with the most in 2023 (313 cases, 78 deaths) and the fewest in 2015 (7 cases, 2 deaths). A survey of 1440 inhabitants (80 % male, 20 % female) across eight regions of Afghanistan showed knowledge of CCHF varied within regions. Correct responses were highest in the central region (394/815), followed by north (336/760). Incorrect responses were highest in central highlands (1039/1440), followed by west (450/881), indicating limited knowledge despite annual spikes in cases.
The surge in CCHF outbreaks during Eid-al-Adha in Afghanistan underscores the challenge posed by limited knowledge of the disease. Uncontrolled animal movement and self-slaughter during Eid festival emphasize the urgent need for targeted public health strategies by relevant ministries.
克里米亚-刚果出血热（CCHF）是一种由蜱传播的病毒性疾病，病死率为10%-40%。它主要通过蜱叮咬从牲畜传播给人类。监测阿富汗这种地方病的高发月份至关重要。目前，该国正应对CCHF可能的全国性疫情，在诊断和预防措施方面都面临限制。因此，本研究旨在描述2015年至2024年高发月份（6月至9月，与宰牲节时间重合）期间的CCHF患病率，并评估阿富汗八个地区居民对CCHF的了解程度。
我们对国家监测系统数据（2015年至2024年）进行了回顾性分析。编制了一份结构化问卷，以评估阿富汗八个地区居民对CCHF的了解情况。数据分析包括使用SPSS和Power BI进行百分比、频率、卡方检验。
国家监测系统记录了2015年至2024年高发月份期间1796例CCHF确诊病例，其中238人死亡。报告病例数最多的是2023年（734例，78人死亡），其次是2022年（221例）。在2015年至2024年宰牲节期间，有804例CCHF病例，176人死亡，其中2023年最多（313例，78人死亡），2015年最少（7例，2人死亡）。对阿富汗八个地区的1440名居民（80%为男性，20%为女性）进行的调查显示，各地区对CCHF的了解情况各不相同。中部地区正确回答率最高（394/815），其次是北部地区（336/760）。中部高地错误回答率最高（1039/1440），其次是西部地区（450/881），这表明尽管病例数每年都有高峰，但人们对该病的了解仍然有限。
阿富汗宰牲节期间CCHF疫情激增，凸显了对该疾病了解有限所带来的挑战。节日期间不受控制的动物流动和自行屠宰行为强调了相关部委制定有针对性的公共卫生策略的迫切必要性。
