Abstract. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a tick-borne viral zoonosis with the potential of human-to-human transmission with case fatality rates from 3% to 50%. The incubation period depends on host, route of infection, and viral dose. Herein, we report a nosocomial spread of the disease in a hospital at Mashhad, northeastern Iran, with a very short incubation period for one of the secondary cases. The patient was a medical student who had a negligible contact with a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever patient during his admission to the hospital. The time interval between the contact and the onset of symptoms was merely 20 hours. Unfortunately, he died within 1 week of exposure.

Occupational exposure to sharp items or body fluid splash is a hazard for health care personnel via transmission of blood-borne viruses through such exposures. To determine the occurrence of needlestick injuries and other high-risk exposures among health care workers at a hospital in Iran, data collected for 2 years were reviewed. During this period, 171 occupational exposures were self-reported. Approximately 20% of all exposed personnel were men and 80% were women. One hundred twenty-six (74%) of the exposed personnel had needlestick injuries, 13 (8%) had sharp instrument injuries, and 32 (19%) had mucosal contact with potentially infectious fluids. Thirty-two percent of injuries occurred during or after sharp instrument disposal and 67% during operative procedures. Appropriate blood tests were performed for 55 (32%) and postexposure prophylaxis was administered to 31 (18%) of the exposed personnel.

Occupational exposure to sharp items or body fluid splash is a hazard for health care personnel via transmission of blood-borne viruses through such exposures. To determine the occurrence of needlestick injuries and other high-risk exposures among health care workers at a hospital in Iran, data collected for 2 years were reviewed. During this period, 171 occupational exposures were self-reported. Approximately 20% of all exposed personnel were men and 80% were women. One hundred twenty-six (74%) of the exposed personnel had needlestick injuries, 13 (8%) had sharp instrument injuries, and 32 (19%) had mucosal contact with potentially infectious fluids. Thirty-two percent of injuries occurred during or after sharp instrument disposal and 67% during operative procedures. Appropriate blood tests were performed for 55 (32%) and postexposure prophylaxis was administered to 31 (18%) of the exposed personnel.

No abstract