From 1 January to 9 June 2013, a total of 16 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), including six deaths (case–fatality rate 37.5%) were reported from Pakistan. So far, 7 of these reported cases have been laboratory-confirmed. In 2012, the country faced a similar outbreak of CCHF with 61 suspected cases, including 17 deaths (case–fatality rate 27.8%) reported from the disease. The majority of the cases were reported from the province of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is endemic in Pakistan and cases are reported sporadically since 2000 and often localized outbreaks are reported in established foci.
Table 1. Suspected cases of CCHF reported in Pakistan, 2000–2012
|
Year |
Cases |
Deaths |
Case–fatality rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2000-2002 |
191 |
59 |
26.2 |
|
2003-2006 |
328 |
42 |
12.8 |
|
2010 |
29 |
3 |
4.9 |
|
2012 |
61 |
17 |
27.8 |