A man in Spain has died from a condition known as ‘bleeding from the eyes’, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a deadly viral illness with a case fatality rate of up to 40%. MetroThe 74-year-old man died on Saturday after being admitted to hospital 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 100 miles 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 La Paz University Hospital in Madrid to prevent further infection. Initially, his condition was considered stable, but he later deteriorated after developing all the symptoms associated with CCHF.
Tragically, he died of the virus on Saturday, marking the first CCHF-related death in Spain since May 2020. Health authorities are likely to remain on high alert to prevent further cases and stop the spread of this dangerous virus.
About Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
CCHF, called ‘Ebola-like’ because of its similar haemorrhagic symptoms, is a disease caused by a tick-borne virus. It is classified as a “priority disease” on the World Health Organization (WHO) list and currently has no vaccine available. It is one of the nine pathogens most likely to cause an epidemic. CCHF is endemic throughout Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.
CCHF is spread by tick bites or contact with bodily fluids of infected animals or humans. Ticks can also spread a number of other diseases, including Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Early symptoms of CCHF include fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain, sore throat and vomiting. It can also cause mood swings, confusion and sleeplessness and triggers bleeding, usually from the nose or eyes and broken capillaries on the skin.
According to the WHO, general supportive care with treatment of symptoms is the main way to manage CCHF in people. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used to treat the infection, with clear benefits. To prevent tick-borne diseases, people are advised to wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors.
