Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever viruses. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Crimean- Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viruses (brown). CCHF is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected tick,or through contact with the body tissues of an infected patient. Symptoms develop 2-3 days after infection and include fever,vomiting and diarrhoea. Later,bleeding occurs from the bowels,kidneys,nose and gums. In severe cases,failure of the kidneys,liver,heart and lungs causes death. There is no cure,but with good supportive therapy most patients recover. Magnification: x200,000 at 6x7cm size |