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Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Spain - Avila

17 Sep 2018

Spanish media report  (in Spanish) that on 8 August 2018, a 74 year old man died in Avila from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). He had recently been hunting in the town of Helechosa de los Montes (Badajoz), where he was bitten by a tick. In 2016, there were cases of CCHF, one of whom died, in Avila Province.

Advice for Travellers

CCHF is found in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe/the Balkans and the Middle East. It is a low risk for the average traveller; it is spread by infected ticks from an animal reservoir such as cattle, sheep and goats. CCHF can also be transmitted by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected animal or person. Avoidance of tick bites is essential in risk areas.

For further information see Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.