Serious Diseases We Can Get From Animals

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that infects individuals through the bites of infected ticks. It can spread through contact with infected patients and contact with tissue or blood from viremic livestock.

The onset is sudden with initial symptoms such as high fever, stomach, joint and back pain, and vomiting. Common symptoms include changes in sensory perception and mood, a red throat, red spots on the palate, red eyes and in severe cases include jaundice. As the illness progresses, severe nose bleeds, bruising, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites can be seen, usually starting on the fourth day of the illness and lasts for about two weeks. The antiviral drug ribavirin is used to treat human disease in South Africa. However, recovery is often slow.

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Marburg

Marburg virus disease, a hemorrhagic virus native to Africa, is related to the Ebola virus and is identified by severe bleeding and organ failure. Marburg virus disease has been found in monkeys, chimps, and fruit bats in Africa. The virus spreads from person to person via contaminated needles and body fluids. Symptoms of this condition include fever, severe headache, joint and muscle aches, chills and physical weakness.

As the virus progresses, symptoms become severe and may include nausea and vomiting, red eyes, raised rash, chest pains, coughing, stomach pain, internal bleeding, and severe weight loss. No drugs have been approved to treat the virus, and instead, patients diagnosed with Marburg virus disease receive treatment for complications and supportive care. Vaccines are in the process of being developed.

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