Measures undertaken in the German Armed Forces Field Hospital deployed in Kosovo to contain a potential outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

During May and June 2001, the World Health Organization reported an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kosovo. Two of the outbreak foci were located within the German Kosovo Force's zone of responsibility and thus countermeasures were undertaken at the German field hospital in Prizren to prepare for a potential outbreak among soldiers. A risk assessment was undertaken and the following essential issues were addressed: the education of troops with emphasis given to the prevention of tick bites, the establishment of an isolation unit, including barrier nursing and technical safety measures, the establishment of procedures for the safe handling of biological specimens intended for laboratory diagnosis, protocols for the treatment and prophylaxis with ribavirin, protocols for effective disinfection and decontamination, and an "outbreak plan" should the disease spread among soldiers. Using Army Mobile Field Hospital System equipment, a plan was implemented within 72 hours. The procedures described herein are likely to be suitable for the containment of other highly contagious diseases.