Scorpion fauna and epidemiological aspects of scorpionism in the South of Fars Province, Iran

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) as a fatal tick-borne disease is currently present in about 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Iran is one of the endemic countries for CCHF with the majority of cases described in the southeast region.Objectives: This study was aimed to describe the epidemiology of CCHF in Sistan-Baluchestan province, covered by Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (ZAUMS). In addition, it was done to explain the various aspects of CCHF in the current Zahedan severe outbreak (2019) and measures taken by the health system.Materials and Methods: The epidemiological parameters of this study were obtained from the surveillance system data of CCHF in the Province Health Centre of ZAUMS. They were analyzed based on the confirmed and probable cases from 2010-2019. Besides the epidemiological patients’ forms related to the Zahedan outbreak and control measures were exploited from the archived documents.Results: Although the incidence rate of CCHF showed a decreasing trend, a sharp increase in the years 2017 and 2019 was seen. As the only one, following the Zahedan outbreak in 2019, the provincial mortality rate of CCHF exceeded the national rate. Training at-risk groups, notifying physicians, monitoring livestock slaughterhouse and vector control were some of the activities carried out to strengthening disease surveillance system.Conclusion: Sistan-Baluchestan province has the highest incidence rate of CCHF in Iran. The valuable experiences gained from this situation especially the Zahedan CCHF outbreak can be useful to improve the surveillance system, identify high-risk areas, practice early diagnosis and intervention, control tick, and expanding cross-sectoral cooperation

کلیدواژه ها:

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever ، Epidemiology ، Outbreak