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American soldier killed by Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
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Tick identification chart from the CDC
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is one of several illnesses with similar symptoms caused by viruses. It has a fatality rate of about 30%.
Sgt. Robert D. Gordon II was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in Afghanistan in early September 2009 when he was bitten by a tick. When he became ill, he was evacuated to the military hospital at Kandahar Air Field, and flown then to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Sgt. Gordon died of his illness on September 16.
The Washington Times confirmed the diagnosis of CCHF in an article on November 6. A medical team has been sent to the outpost in southern Afghanistan where he was serving to test his fellow soldiers.
A November 2 article on the Meat, International site reports that over 200 Iranians have been infected with CCHF through their work in slaughterhouses or butcher shops.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever can infect a wide variety of birds and animals. It can be spread by a number of varieties of ticks, from animal to animal and animal to human. Most cases of CCHF are seen in people whose occupations place them in close contact with animals, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians.
There is no cure for CCHF. Treatment includes supporting the body's immune system and there has been some effectiveness shown with the use of the anti-viral drug ribavirin.
The United States military recommends the use of repellents containing DEET and wearing Permethrin treated clothing. Their fact sheet describes the symptoms as:
Onset of symptoms is sudden, with fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light). There may be nausea, vomiting and sore throat early on, which may be accompanied by diarrhea and generalized abdominal pain.
Turkey and Pakistan are among the other nations in the region that are recording deaths and illness from CCHF.
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