Latest news with #CCHF
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Alert in Spain and Greece as 'priority' illness breaks out - signs to watch for
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that Greece and Spain have both seen a number of people struck down with Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) A warning has been issued after Spain and Greece were struck by surging cases of a deadly illness which claims the lives of around a third of those infected - with one region branded a hotspot. Since the start of 2025, and as of 23 July 2025, two European nations have recorded cases of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Infections have been discovered in Spain and Greece - with the latter outbreak being labelled as 'unexpected'. Experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed the Greece cases have been identified in the Thessaly region. Last year the Parliament Science, Innovation and Technology Committee disclosed that it was "highly likely" the UK would shortly witness cases. The UK Health Security Agency has stated that an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 human infections happen worldwide each year, including roughly 500 deaths. Nevertheless, this number is probably underestimated owing to unreported cases. The spike has been flagged by the UK Travel Health Pro website which is supported by the Foreign Office. The ECDC stated: "The cases in Greece that occurred in the Thessaly region are unexpected, as this region and neighbouring regions have not reported CCHF cases or CCHF virus circulation in animals previously. "The primary case was probably infected through a tick bite, while the secondary case was a healthcare professional who provided care to the primary case, although the exact transmission route is still under scrutiny. "These are the first cases since 2008, when the only other locally acquired case reported by Greece to date was found in the Thrace region (bordering Bulgaria)." Regarding the cases detected in Spain, the ECDC's latest report published this week revealed that instances in Salamanca had been previously documented. The report stated: "From 2016 to 2024, a total of 16 autochthonous CCHF cases have been reported in Spain, with dates of disease onset between April and August. "The province of Salamanca is a hotspot for CCHF, with 50% of the cases being exposed to ticks. Two cases have been detected in previous years in the same locality as the current case. In this area, the presence of Hyalomma marginatum, the main vector of this disease, is well known, and studies conducted in wild and domestic animals have shown seroprevalence higher than 70% for CCHF virus. "Although the risk of contracting CCHF for the general population in the areas where the virus is known to be present in Spain is low, this risk drastically increases for people performing activities that expose them to tick bites. (e.g. hunting, forestry work, hiking, animal surveillance). "". The illness is triggered by Nairovirus, which spreads through tick bites and carries a death rate of between 10 and 40 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Usually discovered in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia, the illness might be spreading beyond its traditional regions and heading towards nations such as Britain and France owing to climate change. The World Health Organisation has listed CCHF among its nine "priority diseases", a designation that underscores the most serious public health risks. The ailment was first recorded in Crimea in 1944, impacting soldiers and agricultural workers, and by 1969 researchers had confirmed that the organism responsible was identical to the virus that had been extracted from a Congolese youngster in 1956. What to do to avoid it. The ECDC said: 'As a general precaution against CCHF, but also against other tick-borne diseases, people who may potentially be exposed to ticks should apply personal protective measures against tick bites. ' Signs of CCHF. In severe cases, the WHO warns, sufferers may develop jaundicing of the skin, mood swings and modified sensory perception. As the illness progresses, widespread serious bruising, profuse nosebleeds, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites may occur, usually beginning around the fourth day of the condition and continuing for roughly two weeks. Throughout documented CCHF outbreaks, fatality rates amongst hospitalised patients have ranged from nine per cent to as high as 50 per cent.
Rudaw Net
21-07-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Iraq records 16 new cases of Crimean-Congo fever
Also in Iraq Iraq cannot control militias attacking Kurdistan Region, says MP Iraqi parliament to convene on Kurdistan Region drone attacks Iraq arrests 40 over alleged baathist plots, sectarian incitement PM Barzani says Baghdad added new condition to finance agreement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's health ministry on Monday recorded 16 new cases and two deaths from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the year to 231. 'The latest epidemiological update on recorded cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever over the past few days confirms 16 new infections and two deaths,' ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr told Rudaw, adding that the deaths occurred in Dhi Qar and Wasit provinces. This brings the total number of infections since the beginning of the year to 231, including 30 deaths, according to Badr. The southern province of Dhi Qar, known for rearing cattle, sheep, and goats, all of which are potential carriers of the disease, has the lion's share of cases with 84, followed by Baghdad with 38 and Muthanna with 20. In the Kurdistan Region, Duhok province has recorded three infections and one death, followed by two infections in Erbil and Sulaimani, respectively. Kurdish authorities have repeatedly called on citizens to refrain from slaughtering animals at home and only to purchase meat from trusted butchers. CCHF is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through multiple routes, including bites from infected ticks, contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, exposure to bodily fluids of infected persons, and consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected livestock. While some cases present with mild symptoms, the disease is frequently fatal. Severe symptoms may include internal bleeding, coma, and multi-organ failure affecting the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system. The World Health Organization estimates the fatality rate can reach up to 40%. CCHF has been endemic in Iraq since 1979, but has seen a resurgence since 2021, particularly in the southern provinces, raising public health concerns.
Shafaq News
21-07-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
CCHF: Over 220 cases, 30 deaths in Iraq
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq has confirmed 226 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) so far this year, with 33 resulting deaths. According to Shafaq News tracker and data released by the Ministry of health, the highest number of infections was recorded in Dhi Qar with 84 cases, while Karbala, Al-Anbar, and Raparin reported just one each. Baghdad reported the most fatalities, with six confirmed deaths. Health Ministry spokesperson Seif al-Badr advised the public to take strict precautions, including purchasing meat only from authorized outlets, using dedicated knives for cutting meat, maintaining hygiene, wearing gloves, and ensuring meat is both properly stored in cold conditions and thoroughly cooked. These measures, he said in a press release, are vital to curbing the spread of the virus, which 'continues to pose a serious health threat ' in several parts of the country.
Shafaq News
10-07-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
CCHF: New fatality confirmed in Iraq's Dhi Qar
Shafaq News – Dhi Qar On Wednesday, health authorities in Iraq's Dhi Qar province reported the third fatality from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) this year. A veterinary source told Shafaq News that a 60-year-old man from Al-Dawayah district succumbed to the virus earlier in the day.
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Killer virus symptoms as 'highly likely' it will reach UK
Killer virus symptoms as 'highly likely' it will reach UK - detected in Spain New instances of a deadly virus have been identified in popular holiday destinations frequented by Brits One of the early symptoms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a severe headache (Image: Getty ) New instances of a deadly virus have been identified in popular holiday destinations frequented by Brits, and experts are warning it could soon reach the UK. The virus, known as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), is currently considered the most significant threat to public health, having already caused outbreaks in Iraq and Namibia. The disease has also resulted in two reported fatalities in Pakistan and several cases have been documented in Spain. Last week, sources speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed that it was "highly likely" the UK would soon see cases. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recently reported a case of CCHF in Spain, noting that the disease is 'known to be circulating among animals in this region and human CCHF cases have been previously reported in the area. "From 2016 to 2024, a total of 16 autochthonous CCHF cases were reported in Spain, with disease onset occurring between April and August. The province of Salamanca is a hotspot for CCHF, with half of the cases resulting from tick report further states that under certain conditions in Spain, people are significantly more likely to contract Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: "This risk drastically increases for people performing activities that expose them to tick bites (e.g. hunting, forestry work, hiking, animal surveillance). The UK Health Security Agency has reported that an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 human infections occur globally each year, including approximately 500 fatalities. However, this figure is likely underestimated due to unreported cases. Confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) have been imported into the UK in the past, including a fatal case in 2012 and another in 2014. In March 2022, another CCHF case was reported in the UK following a positive test result, reports the Mirror. To prevent CCHF: "As a general precaution against CCHF, but also against other tick-borne diseases, people who may potentially be exposed to ticks should apply personal protective measures against tick bites. In 2023 experts speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was " In 2023, experts informed Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee that it was "highly likely" there could soon be cases in the UK. Article continues below During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, suggested that CCHF could reach the UK "through our ticks, at some point". The disease is caused by Nairovirus, which is spread by ticks and has a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Typically found in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia, the disease could be expanding beyond its usual territories and moving towards countries like Britain and France due to climate change, as reported by the Express. The World Health Organisation has identified CCHF amongst its nine "priority diseases", a classification that highlights the most significant public health threats. The condition was initially documented in Crimea during 1944, affecting military personnel and farm workers, and by 1969 scientists had established that the pathogen responsible was the same virus that had been isolated from a Congolese child in 1956. Humans (and potentially non-human primates) represent the sole animal species known to develop serious clinical manifestations of CCHF. Signs of CCHF The virus presents with various symptoms including severe headaches, elevated temperature, spinal and joint discomfort, abdominal pain, and nausea. Bloodshot eyes, facial flushing, throat redness, and petechiae (small red marks) across the roof of the mouth are frequently observed. In serious instances, the WHO cautions, patients may experience yellowing of the skin, emotional instability and altered sensory awareness. As the condition advances, extensive severe bruising, heavy nosebleeds, and uncontrollable haemorrhaging at injection points may develop, typically commencing around the fourth day of the illness and persisting for approximately a fortnight. During recorded CCHF outbreaks, mortality rates amongst hospitalised individuals have varied from nine per cent to as much as 50 per cent. The lasting consequences of CCHF infection remain insufficiently researched in survivors to establish whether particular complications arise. Nevertheless, recuperation is gradual. There have been instances of human infection reported globally in at least 55 countries, either through case reports or virological or serological evidence. In Europe and its neighbouring regions, local human cases and/or outbreaks have been reported in Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine. Spain reported its first locally acquired case in August 2016, marking the first instance in Western Europe, following their initial detection of CCHFV infected ticks in 2010. Article continues below As of the end of October 2023, French officials have reported the detection of CCHFV in H. marginatum ticks collected from cattle in the eastern Pyrénées, marking the first confirmation of the virus's presence in tick populations within the country.
