Epidemiology of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is endemic in >30 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. CCHFV causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a disease characterized by bleeding and haemoptysis. Since the first diagnosis in 1944, 10,000-15,000 CCHF cases are reported worldwide annually. Around three billion people are at risk of CCHFV infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced CCHFV as a priority pathogen in December 2015 due to its widespread and significant healthcare threat. In this review, we track the outbreaks, discuss their origin, and analyze the geographical spread of the CCHFV. We will also discuss reservoirs, the modes of transmission, and the factors influencing CCHFV infection. Preventive measures will be highlighted with emphasis on the potential of artificial intelligence in outbreak prediction and disease surveillance.