KABUL, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization's office in Afghanistan has reported a significant surge in suspected Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases, with 483 suspected infections and 21 deaths recorded in June across the country.
This represents a 174.4-percent increase in suspected cases compared to 176 suspected cases and nine deaths reported in May, the office said in its latest report.
The WHO attributed the sharp rise primarily to the Eid ul-Adha period, during which heightened contact with livestock and widespread animal slaughtering activities significantly increase the risk of transmission.
CCHF is a viral haemorrhagic fever typically transmitted through ticks or direct contact with infected animal blood or tissues. ■