JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonotic tick-borne disease that has been linked to a high mortality rate in a number of nations. In Oman, the first case of CCHF was discovered in 1995. The Directorate of Disease Surveillance and Control received reports of four individuals with CCHF from various places in North Oman between the 17th and 23rd of August 2019 (Eid Adha festival).

Objective:

Identify CCHF patients, determine the source and mechanism of transmission, and recommend preventive measures to avoid further outbreaks.

Methods:

We arranged for a field visit with teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Municipality on the same day of notice (17th to 23rd August 2019) in the region, a case series study was undertaken using a semi structured questionnaire.

Results:

The findings revealed that all of the patients were males (three were Omanis), ranging in age from 40 to 55 years. Three of the patients worked in slaughterhouses, while all of them had close contact with raw sheep tissues. Fever and gastrointestinal problems were the most common symptoms, with case fatality rate 25%. Late bleeding signs and coagulopathy were detected in the patient who died.

Conclusions:

The causative agent was most likely CCHF Virus, and the source of the outbreak was infected imported sheep through direct contact with contaminated biological tissues, based on symptoms, signs, lab tests, and incubation period. All imported sheep must be tested and flagged at the main gates of the three ports in Oman's North Region.