OREANDA-NEWS Russian scientists have discovered a new strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the south of the country. This was stated by the press service of Sechenov University.

The study involved employees of Sechenov University, the Stavropol Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor, the Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in St. Petersburg, and the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor.

The CCHF virus has become widespread in a number of African countries, the Balkans, the Middle East, and some Asian countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most often it is transmitted to people from mites and domestic animals. It can be transmitted from person to person through close contact with blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids.

Its symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, eye inflammation and photophobia (sensitivity to light). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sore throat may occur, followed by mood swings and mental confusion. After two to four days, excitement may change to drowsiness, depression, and fatigue. Moreover, abdominal pain may be localized in the right upper part with detectable hepatomegaly (liver enlargement). Lethality rate of this type of fever is 30%.