Alarm in Spain: A Warning about a Deadly Tick-Borne Virus has been raised
In Spain, in the north-west of the country, the Ministry of Health of Castile and Leon raised the alarm after the hospitalization of a man diagnosed with Crimean Congolese hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). This case confirms the presence of a deadly virus in the region. The patient is in Salamanca Hospital in critical but stable condition, being in an isolated ward.
The first Case of CCHF in Spain
CCHF is usually transmitted through tick bites, which is a concern after recent warnings about other diseases such as Lyme disease, also transmitted by ticks.
Symptoms of CCHF listed by the World Health Organization include fever, muscle aches, dizziness, neck and back pain, headache, eye pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal and throat pain, sudden mood changes, confusion, drowsiness, depression, exhaustion, palpitations and enlarged lymph nodes.
Control of Tick Bites: Recommendations of the Ministry of Health for Protection Against The CCHF Virus
To prevent tick bites, it is recommended to follow several precautions when staying in nature or on agricultural land. This includes wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers, avoiding open shoes, preferring closed shoes with socks, and carefully closing the bottom of the trousers.