Africa CDC Weekly Event Based Surveillance Report, May 2023

Description:
On 21 April 2023, the Senegal MoH reported an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Fadia city, Guediawayedistrict, Dakar region. The index case was a 35-year-old-male butcher from Fadia city. On 10 April 2023, he presented at Dalal Jammhospital with flu-like symptoms. On 21 April 2023, blood samples were collected and CCHF was confirmed at Institut Pasteur, Dakar by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He died on 22 April 2023 after developing hemorrhagic symptoms and was given a safe and dignified burial on 24 April 2023. So far, no other confirmed case has been reported, however, 19 suspected cases have been identified from the contact list and are being investigated.
CCHF is a zoonotic viral hemorrhagic fever that can spread through bites of infected ticks. It can also be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals, mainly livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo and camels. Although livestock can be infected with the virus, most do not manifest clinical symptoms. There is currently no approved safe and effective vaccine for human use, and treatment for CCHF is primarily supportive. The last outbreak of CCHF in Senegal was in November 2022 with a single case and no death reported from Dakar.

Response:
The MoH has activated the emergency operation centre and has also deployed a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary team to Dakar to support with response activities. A total of 87 contacts were identified from two districts namely Guediawaye (83 contacts) and Dakarciity centre (4). All contacts are being monitored and three of the 87 contacts have completed their monitoring cycle. Additionally, the veterinary services are monitoring livestock in the affected area.