Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus infection

Abstract

Objectives This review article summarizes what has been published on Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), a novel flavivirus that was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1995. Methods PubMed was used to search for studies published from January 1995 to June 2019 using the key words Alkhumra virus, Alkhurma virus, novel flavivirus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Additionally, records of the Saudi Ministry of Health were reviewed. Results Thirty-two articles on AHFV were identified. Acute febrile flu-like illness, hepatitis, hemorrhagic manifestations, and, less commonly, encephalitis are the main clinical features. The virus seems to be transmitted from livestock animals to humans by direct contact with these animals or their raw meat, or perhaps by tick or mosquito bites. The ability of ticks and mosquitoes to serve as vectors for AHFV needs to be confirmed by biological studies. The exact role of animals such as sheep, goats, camels, and other mammals in the transmission and maintenance of the virus remains to be elucidated. Preventive measures require an interdisciplinary approach involving the human and veterinary health sectors, the municipality, the ministry of agriculture, the vector control sector, and academic and research institutes. Conclusions AHFV has been well characterized; nevertheless, some aspects remain to be elucidated.

The Biological and Ecological Features of Northbound Migratory Birds, Ticks, and Tick-Borne Microorganisms in the African–Western Palearctic

“…AHFV (also known as Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus) was identified in 1995 in Saudi Arabia [ 103 ]. Currently, Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is endemic (regularly found in and restricted to a certain region) in several provinces of Saudi Arabia, and the case frequency has increased since 1995, with 620 cases of confirmed AHFV infection reported from 1995 to 2017 [ 104 ]. There are also reports from Africa, with four tourist-related cases detected near the Egypt–Sudan border in 2010 and 2013 [ 105 , 106 , 107 ] and a possible seropositive case as well as cattle-associated Amblyomma lepidum ticks testing positive for AHFV RNA detected in Djibouti, situated at the horn of Africa, in 2010 and 2011 [ 108 , 109 ].…”

Prevalence of Tick-Borne Viruses from Ticks Breeding on Camels Imported to Egypt During the Period from January 2019 to April 2021

“…Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), another TBV, is categorized under the tick-borne encephalitis group of the Flavivirus genus in the Flaviviridae family 28 . It was firstly separated in the Alkhumra area of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1994-1995 from six patients.…”

“…dromedarii, or via contact with animals or raw products from animals (often camels and sheep) bitten by infested ticks 31 . The virus can also be transmitted by unpasteurized or contaminated milk from camels, as well as through skin wounds infected with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected sheep 28 . According to reports, up to 25% of people who contract the virus die 31 .…”

“…Patients infected with AHFV have symptoms like influenza, but the disorder can continue to serious hemorrhagic and central nervous system (CNS) presentations 32 . In the early laboratory diagnosis of AHFV, both molecular and immunological techniques have been used 28 .…”

Effectiveness of the Combination of Lethal Ovitrap Attractant of Local Organic Materials and Natural Larvicides in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Endemic Areas

“…Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito (Madani et al, 2021). The main vectors that transmit this disease are the Aedes aegypti mosquito and, to a lesser extent, Ae.…”