Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus. The CCHF virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10–40%. It is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asian countries.

Animals like sheep, goats and cows become infected by the bite of infected ticks and the virus remains in their bloodstream for about one week after infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites.

Onset of symptoms is sudden, with fever, myalgia, (muscle ache), dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light). There may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat early on, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion.

General supportive care with treatment of symptoms is the main approach to managing CCHF in people. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used to treat CCHF infection with apparent benefit.

The first cases of the CCHF in Sultanate was recorded between 1995 to 1996. A serosurvey was conducted in various areas of the Sultanate in order to address the disease state. The number of reported cases in 2014, 2013, 2015 were reached 10, 18, 20 cases consecutively. These cases was recorded for people who handling and contact with animals, as well as the animals breeders. During the current year, the number of infected cases and deaths was reached (9) cases till today (Sunday).