Human Alkhumra hemorrhagic Fever: Emergence, history and epidemiological and clinical profiles

Ahmed A Abdulhaq; Almonther A Hershan; Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi; Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi

doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.031

Human Alkhumra hemorrhagic Fever: Emergence, history and epidemiological and clinical profiles

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2022 Mar;29(3):1900-1910. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.031. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Authors

Ahmed A Abdulhaq^{1

2

3}, Almonther A Hershan^{4

5}, Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi^{3

6}, Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi^{3

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
² Deanship of Scientific Research, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
³ Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Medical Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.

Abstract

Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic disease in humans. It is caused by Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), a newly described flavivirus first isolated in 1995 in Alkhumra district, south of Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. It is transmitted from infected livestock animals to humans by direct contact with infected animals or by tick bites. In the recent past, the incidence of AHF has increased, with a total of 604 confirmed cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia between 1995 and 2020. Yet, no specific treatment or control strategies have been developed and implemented against this infection. Hence, the likelihood of increased prevalence or the occurrence of outbreaks is high, particularly in the absence of appropriate prevention and control strategies. This narrative review presents an overview of the current knowledge and future concerns about AHF globally.

Keywords: AHF, Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever; AHFV, Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus; Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus; CCHFV, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus; CFV, chikungunya fever virus; DENV, dengue fever virus; Flaviviruses; ICTV, International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses; Infectious diseases; KFDV, Kyasanur Forest disease virus; OHFV, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus; RVFV, Rift Valley fever virus; Saudi Arabia; YFV, yellow fever virus.

Publication types

Review