Public health advice on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
21 August 2025 | Questions and answersCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a rare viral disease that spreads through the bites of infected ticks. While most people will have no symptoms, others may develop sudden fever and, in severe cases, bleeding and death. The CCHF virus can live in many animal hosts, both wild and domestic, including cattle, sheep and goats. Ticks feeding on these animals can become infected and then pass the virus to humans.
Yes. CCHF has been reported in several countries in the WHO European Region. While it is more common in southern and eastern Europe, the potential for its spread and occurrence in northern Europe is increasing due to factors like climate change and the movement of ticks and their animal hosts.
Most of the CCHF cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians. There have also been occasional cases of CCHF in health-care settings such as hospitals and clinics, mainly affecting health-care workers.
The CCHF virus is transmitted to people through the bite of a specific species of infected ticks or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. In rare cases, it can also spread from person to person, for instance, in health-care settings or when a person comes into close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.
In summary, CCHF spreads through:
- bites of infected ticks (hard ticks, especially Hyalomma ticks)
- contact with blood or tissues of infected animals (for example, during farming or slaughter)
- close contact with bodily fluids of infected people, especially in hospitals
- improperly cleaned medical tools or reused needles.
People at higher risk include:
- farmers, hunters and veterinarians
- slaughterhouse workers
- health-care workers not wearing proper protective gear
- hikers and campers in tick-prone areas.
Reduce the risk – remove the tick as quickly as possible.
To remove a tick safely, follow the steps below.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Gently pull straight up to remove the entire tick – no twisting or jerking – to avoid leaving parts in the skin.
- Wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water.
- Apply an antiseptic to the bite.
- If you find one tick, there may be others. Carefully check your entire body for other ticks and remove them promptly.
Do not:
- crush the tick with your fingers
- try to smother it with petroleum jelly, nail polish or grease
- burn the tick.
If the tick’s mouthparts break off and remain in the skin, they may cause irritation. However, over time they should be naturally pushed out by your body.
If you have symptoms and have been to an area where CCHF is present or had contact with ticks or animals:
- avoid contact with others;
- seek medical care immediately; and
- tell your doctor about your recent activities such as hiking and mention tick bites if you noticed getting bitten.
Currently, there is no treatment or approved vaccine for CCHF. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms by administering fluids, oxygen, controlling blood pressure and treating other infections.
Ribavirin, an antiviral, has shown some benefits in treating CCHF, but recovery is slow and long-term effects remain unclear. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of ribavirin and other antivirals.