There is no vaccine available for the disease yet
A man has died in Spain after contracting a deadly disease called Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a deadly viral disease with a mortality rate of up to 40%. According to Subwaythe 74-year-old died on Saturday after being hospitalized near Madrid.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, was admitted to the Rey Juan Carlos University Hospital in Mostoles, Spain, after being bitten by a tick in Toledo, about 160 kilometers southwest of Madrid. After being diagnosed with the rare Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus, he was transferred to a high-dependency isolation unit at the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid to prevent transmission. Initially, his condition was considered stable, but he subsequently worsened after developing all the symptoms associated with ICCC.
Tragically, he died from the virus on Saturday, marking the first CCHF-related death in Spain since May 2020. Health authorities must be on high alert to prevent new cases and contain the spread of this dangerous virus.
About Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
CCHF, described as “Ebola-like” due to its similar bleeding symptoms, is a disease caused by a tick-borne virus. It has been categorized as a “priority disease” on a list by the World Health Organization (WHO) and there is currently no vaccine available. It is also one of nine pathogens considered most likely to trigger a pandemic. CCHF is endemic throughout Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.
CCHF is transmitted through tick bites or contact with bodily fluids from infected animals or humans. Ticks can also transmit several other diseases, including Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Initial symptoms of CHF include fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain, sore throat and vomiting. It can also cause mood changes, confusion and drowsiness, in addition to causing bleeding, usually from the nose or broken capillaries in the eyes and skin.
According to the WHO, general supportive care with symptom management is the main approach to treating ICCC in people. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used to treat the infection with apparent benefit. To prevent tick-borne illnesses, people are advised to wear protective clothing, use insect repellents, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
