Spain: 3rd Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) case confirmed in Salamanca; 4th case reported in the country

In a follow-up report from Spain, the Junta de Castilla y León, through the General Directorate of Public Health, has confirmed a case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) diagnosed in Salamanca.

The confirmed case is a 71-year-old man who was temporarily in the province and was treated at the Salamanca University Hospital Complex (CAUSA) for symptoms consistent with this disease. He subsequently underwent the standard tests for these types of cases and tested positive for CCHF. Following these results, he was transferred to the Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid. The patient remains hospitalized and is being closely monitored due to the clinical severity of this illness, with the isolation and protective measures for healthcare professionals in place for these situations.

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This is the third locally acquired CCHF case reported in Salamanca and the fourth case reported in Spain and in Europe (Salamanca -3, Ciudad Real- 1). One death has been reported.

The Epidemiology Section of the Territorial Health Service of the Regional Government of Castile and León in the province of Salamanca, in collaboration with healthcare professionals from the CAUSA (Center for Advanced Studies of the University of Salamanca), has identified the contacts of the affected person to advise them on the necessary follow-up. The protocol involves periodically monitoring their body temperature and reporting any changes in their health status to their designated epidemiologist.

From Public Health, and in coordination with the healthcare sector, as soon as the suspicion of this possible case was established, the protocol of action and coordination between the health authorities of the Ministry of Health and the Community of Castilla y León was launched, having sent blood samples of the affected person to the National Center of Microbiology in Majadahonda (Madrid), of the Carlos III Health Institute, which has confirmed that it is an infection by the Crimean-Congo virus.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is caused by a virus whose main transmission mechanism is the bite of the ‘Hyalomma’ tick, although it can also be transmitted from person to person by contact with blood or fluids of the sick person, which can occur especially in healthcare personnel when they are not properly protected.