Possible sexual transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Highlights

• The transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) among spouses is reported.

• Sexual contact may represent a real risk of CCHF virus transmission.

• Transmission through sexual contact is possible from the end of the incubation period.

• Transmission through sexual contact may lead to a more severe course of CCHF.

Summary

Three cases of family transmission of laboratory-confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) among spouses are reported. These spouses had sexual contact at the end of the incubation period or during the early stage of the mild form of CCHF, without any hemorrhagic symptoms in the first infected spouse. This report demonstrates that sexual contact may represent a real risk of CCHF transmission, even if the patient only experiences mild symptoms.