2023-10-27 07:45:00
This Tuesday, October 24, the discovery of ticks infected with the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus was announced by Santé Publique France (SPF). Is this virus dangerous for humans? How can you be contaminated? Answer.
For the first time ever, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus has been detected in France, reports Public Health France this Tuesday, October 24. It was discovered on ticks attached to cattle in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
An analysis from the beginning of October
The discovery was made by the Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD) and dates back to October 6.
“These first analyzes were confirmed by the CNR (National Reference Center for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers) of the Pasteur Institute, thus establishing for the first time the presence of the virus in France,” indicates SPF.
Ticks transmit the virus
“The virus is generally transmitted by the bite of an infected adult Hyalomma tick. Transmission to humans is also possible through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an animal or other being. infected human (during the short period during which the virus circulates in the blood)”, underlines Santé Publique France.
Note that this tick very rarely bites humans and is easily recognizable thanks to its large size (5mm), its long rostrum and its two-colored legs.
Native to Africa and Asia, “Hyalomma marginatum” first colonized Corsica several decades ago, before spreading throughout the Mediterranean. According to CIRAD (Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development), it could reach the north of France in the future “under the effect of climate change”.
The cause of a potentially fatal disease
In humans, “infection with the CCHF virus most often remains asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic,” reassures the organization. However, the virus can cause a potentially fatal hemorrhagic fever, which has a case fatality rate of approximately 5-30%.
The symptoms “appear suddenly” and are diverse: fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck stiffness and pain, back pain, headaches, digestive problems, headaches, sensitivity of the eyes to light and photophobia. Then comes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
“In severe cases, these symptoms can be followed by hemorrhage, shock and multiorgan failure,” adds Santé Publique France.
No cases in humans in France
To date, no human cases of CCHF have been detected in France. Despite this new threat and a recommendation by ANSES (National Health Security Agency) last June, “there is no active surveillance of ticks on a national scale, whatever the species”.
On the other hand, “a dozen indigenous human cases of FHCC have been reported in Spain since 2016, some of them in healthcare professionals,” reveals SPF.
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