What are the causes of Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever?
Disease description:
I suddenly felt extremely cold, and after taking my temperature, I found that I had a high fever. After going to the hospital for examination, I was diagnosed with Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever. May I ask what causes Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Xinjiang Hemorrhagic Fever is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), primarily occurring in the Xinjiang region. The pathogen belongs to the genus Orthonairovirus within the family Nairoviridae under the order Bunyavirales. The main sources of infection are animals in epidemic areas, such as domestic sheep and Tarim hares, while the primary vector is the Hyalomma asiaticum tick, which transmits the virus to humans and animals through bites. Additionally, human infection can occur through contact with infected sheep blood or blood from patients during the acute phase via skin wounds, or by consuming virus-contaminated food. The virus can be transmitted transovarially through tick eggs, allowing ticks to serve as maintenance hosts for the virus. Xinjiang Hemorrhagic Fever is a severe illness with a high fatality rate; therefore, prevention measures, including protection against tick bites and avoiding exposure to infection sources, are particularly important.
