The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued a nationwide advisory warning of increased risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) ahead of Eid-ul-Adha due to heightened human-animal interaction.
The institute reported 82 confirmed cases and 20 deaths in 2025, pushing the case fatality rate above 24 percent. It noted an increase from 61 cases in 2024 and said four cases have already been reported this year.
The advisory stated that CCHF, a tick-borne viral disease, spreads through bites of infected ticks or contact with blood and tissues of infected animals, particularly during slaughter. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids.
The NIH warned that high-risk groups include livestock handlers, butchers, veterinarians and healthcare workers, while hospital-acquired infections remain a concern due to poor infection control practices.
It said symptoms include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain and, in severe cases, bleeding and organ complications.
The advisory called for preventive measures, including use of protective clothing, tick control in livestock, safe animal handling and strict infection control in healthcare settings, while urging increased vigilance during the Eid period.
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