Investigate a possible case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Catalonia
The patient is under study at the Hospital Clínic and the virus, which is transmitted by ticks, has never been confirmed in the country
BarcelonaThis year in Europe, only one case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been detected, a disease transmitted by ticks. It concerns a person from Salamanca, a region where the virus circulates due to a high presence of ticks capable of transmitting the virus, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). However, this Friday, a person in Barcelona with symptoms compatible with the disease has been detected and transferred to the isolation unit of the Hospital Clínic, awaiting results to determine if it is a positive case or not.
According to what ARA has learned, it is a person who was in the north of Spain, an area where these ticks are present, and also has a clinical picture that would fit this disease, which has led health professionals to suspect, and they have activated the relevant protocol. In Spain, the circulation of the virus in ticks was detected in 2010, but it wasn't until six years later that the first cases in humans were detected. In Catalonia, there have been other suspected cases, but none have been confirmed to date.
The vast majority of people experience the disease asymptomatically, and if symptoms develop, most clinical cases are mild. In some cases, however, the disease worsens, with a mortality rate that can reach 30%. The ECDC explains that the risk of contracting the disease among people living in areas of the State where the virus is known to be present is low. However, it warns that the risk increases when activities that may involve exposure to ticks are carried out, such as outdoor excursions.
Sudden symptoms
After a tick bite, the incubation period is generally one to three days, but can last up to a week and a half. Once the infection occurs, symptoms begin suddenly, including fever, muscle pain, dizziness, sore throat, headache, and eye irritation, among others. There may also be nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by sudden mood swings and confusion. Supportive treatment can improve the prognosis, provided it is administered early.
Experts warn that with climate change, which favors the proliferation of ticks, these diseases will become increasingly frequent. In Catalonia, the tick population is increasing, which is why, if engaging in outdoor activities, it is important to wear long-sleeved clothing and avoid open footwear, use repellent, and, whenever possible, avoid walking through areas of dense vegetation. Upon returning from an excursion, pets, equipment, and your body should be examined to detect possible animals or bites. According to the Ministry of Health, bites are not usually painful and attached ticks can go unnoticed, which is why they insist on thoroughly checking the entire body.