What is Omsk hemorrhagic fever?
Omsk hemorrhagic fever (OHF) is caused by Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. OHF was described between 1945 and 1947 in Omsk, Russia from patients with hemorrhagic feve Where does Omsk hemorrhagic fever occur? OHF occurs in the western Siberia regions of Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kurgan and Tyumen How is Omsk hemorrhagic fever spread to humans? The main host for OHFV is rodents, principally the water vole (Arvicola terrestris), but the virus also infects the non-native muskrat (Ondatra zibethica). OHFV is transmitted to the rodents from the bite of an infected tick (Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes persulcatus are the major vectors). Humans usually get the disease from a tick bite. Humans are at additional risk of contacting OHF through their contact with muskrats. Muskrats, which are not native to the Omsk region, but were recently introduced to the area, like humans, fall ill and die when they are infected with the virus. T
