CCHF confirmed in the UK

On 25 March 2022, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been identified in England, from a female who had travelled to Central Asia. Prior to this, there have been only two cases of CCHF imported to the UK, in 2012 and 2014. There was no evidence of onward transmission from either of these cases.

CCHF is a viral disease usually transmitted by ticks and livestock animals in countries where the disease is endemic. The disease does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the public is very low.

The principal carriers of CCHF are Hyalomma ticks, however these are not established in the UK and the virus has never been detected here in a tick.

People living in, or visiting, endemic areas should use personal protective measures to avoid contact with ticks, including:

• avoiding areas where ticks are abundant at times when they are active
• using tick repellents
• checking clothing and skin carefully for ticks

More information on CCHF can be found on the UKHSA website.

Source: UKHSA, 25 March 2022