The current pathogenicity and potential risk evaluation of Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever virus to cause mysterious “Disease X”—An updated literature review

Abstract Background and Aims Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe and potentially lethal illness. Tick bites of the Hyalomma genus are the primary source of transmission of CCHF to humans. The virus responsible for CCHF is the CCHF virus (CCHFV). It is a single‐stranded negative sensed RNA virus. The virus belongs to the Orthonairoviridae genus within the Nairoviridae family. It occurs in an extensive geographical area spanning the Middle East, western China, southern Asia, southeastern Europe, and much of Africa. The current study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity and potential risk of CCHFV to cause a public health emergency of international concern. Methods We searched updated relevant information from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever, tick‐borne virus, and Nairovirus as keywords. Results The case fatality rate (CFR) varies by region. It can be more than 30% in some cases. Three segments in the genome of CCHFV (L, M, and S) are different in size and function. It is unknown whether the pathogenicity of CCHFV varied based on the genomic diversity. CCHFV can be transmitted through tick bites, handling of infected ticks, contact with infected humans, contaminated body fluids, and so on. A wide range of severity is associated with CCHF, ranging from a moderate fever with no apparent cause to increased vascular permeability, failure of several organs, bleeding, and shock. Hospitals with high‐level isolation units should be the first choice for treating CCHF patients. Individual safety equipment is crucial in healthcare to prevent the spread of the virus. In the farm environment, using integrated pest management techniques, minimizing activity in tick‐infested regions, and dressing appropriately in long sleeves and pants will help to reduce the risk of CCHFV infection via tick bites. Conclusion There are no approved vaccinations or therapeutics for CCHF except supportive therapeutic approaches. Therefore, scientists recommend early ribavirin therapy for cases of high‐risk exposures.