Specialists in Kyrgyzstan have recently completed training on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), led by the World Health Organization (WHO). CCHF, a tick-borne disease that can also spread through contact with infected animals, presents public health challenges due to its potential to cause outbreaks, its high fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%, and the complexity of its prevention and treatment.
The training, organized by the WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan and funded by the Pandemic Fund, was held at the Osh State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision and Anti-plague Station. This initiative emphasized the One Health approach, which promotes integrated efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to enhance disease management and prevention.
Participants included a diverse group of professionals such as doctors, veterinarians, epidemiologists, entomologists, virologists, and environmentalists. The course offered in-depth training on all aspects of CCHF, including its epidemiology, methods of diagnosis, treatment options, and strategies for control. Key techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were taught for early detection of the disease.
A hands-on component featured demonstrations of tick collection techniques in the Chiyrchyk valley. These practical sessions are essential for equipping authorities with the skills needed to manage and prevent CCHF outbreaks.
Zuura Bokoshova, an epidemiologist from the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance in Suzak district, Osh, highlighted the training's focus on enhancing diagnostic skills and surveillance methods. She noted that the One Health approach is vital for effective disease management, integrating efforts across different health sectors.
Kalysbek Kydyshov, One Health Catalyst from the WHO Country Office, emphasized the value of hands-on experience in applying theoretical knowledge to practice.
This training is part of a broader effort to strengthen Kyrgyzstan's capacity to handle CCHF and other zoonotic diseases. A similar training was previously conducted in Bishkek in May, targeting professionals from the northern regions of the country.
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