1. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases diagnosed during an outbreak of Sudan virus disease in Uganda, 2022-23.
- Author
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Balinandi S, Mulei S, Whitmer S, Nyakarahuka L, Cossaboom CM, Shedroff E, Morales-Betoulle M, Krapiunaya I, Tumusiime A, Kyondo J, Baluku J, Namanya D, Torach CR, Mutesi J, Kiconco J, Pimundu G, Muyigi T, Rowland J, Nsawotebba A, Ssewanyana I, Muwanguzi D, Kadobera D, Harris JR, Ario AR, Atek K, Kyobe HB, Nabadda S, Kaleebu P, Mwebesa HG, Montgomery JM, Shoemaker TR, Lutwama JJ, and Klena JD
- Subjects
- Humans, Uganda epidemiology, Male, Female, Adult, Middle Aged, Adolescent, Young Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Phylogeny, Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean epidemiology, Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean diagnosis, Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean virology, Disease Outbreaks, Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo genetics, Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo isolation & purification, Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo classification
- Abstract
Background: In September 2022, Uganda experienced an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD), mainly in central Uganda. As a result of enhanced surveillance activities for Ebola disease, samples from several patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) were sent to the VHF Program at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe, Uganda, and identified with infections caused by other viral etiologies. Herein, we report the epidemiologic and laboratory findings of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases that were detected during the SVD outbreak response., Methodology: Whole blood samples from VHF suspected cases were tested for Sudan virus (SUDV) by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); and if negative, were tested for CCHF virus (CCHFV) by RT-PCR. CCHFV genomic sequences generated by metagenomic next generation sequencing were analyzed to ascertain strain relationships., Principal Findings: Between September 2022 and January 2023, a total of 2,626 samples were submitted for VHF testing at UVRI. Overall, 13 CCHF cases (including 7 deaths; case fatality rate of 53.8%), aged 4 to 60 years, were identified from 10 districts, including several districts affected by the SVD outbreak. Four cases were identified within the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) at Mubende Hospital. Most CCHF cases were males engaged in livestock farming or had exposure to wildlife (n = 8; 61.5%). Among confirmed cases, the most common clinical symptoms were hemorrhage (n = 12; 92.3%), fever (n = 11; 84.6%), anorexia (n = 10; 76.9%), fatigue (n = 9; 69.2%), abdominal pain (n = 9; 69.2%) and vomiting (n = 9; 69.2%). Sequencing analysis showed that the majority of identified CCHFV strains belonged to the Africa II clade previously identified in Uganda. Two samples, however, were identified with greater similarity to a CCHFV strain that was last reported in Uganda in 1958, suggesting possible reemergence., Conclusions/significance: Identifying CCHFV from individuals initially suspected to be infected with SUDV emphasizes the need for comprehensive VHF testing during filovirus outbreak responses in VHF endemic countries. Without expanded testing, CCHFV-infected patients would have posed a risk to health care workers and others while receiving treatment after a negative filovirus diagnosis, thereby complicating response dynamics. Additionally, CCHFV-infected cases could acquire an Ebola infection while in the ETU, and upon release because of a negative Ebola virus result, have the potential to spread these infections in the community., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.)
- Published
- 2024
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