Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: Should we be worried about this 'killer' virus that's spreading?

Experts have long been warning Brits that climate change may reshape the borders and bring diseases that are normally considered tropical to the colder parts of the world, leading to deadly pandemics.

They fear it may be the case with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) - a dangerous virus that may cause horrendous pains, vomiting and even impact mental state and kill up to 50% of those infected.

The WHO has already included CCHF in the list of its 'priority diseases', naming it as one of the biggest public health risks just now.

The killer virus has already reached Europe, with several cases detected in Spain. Experts warn that it’s just a matter of time until it reaches British soil.

Here is how worried we should be.

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A tick-borne virus is on the rise in the UK, these are the symptoms to watch for.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is ‘highly likely’ to reach the UK

Experts issued a chilling warning over the cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) detected in several regions in the world, including Europe.

The disease has already caused two reported deaths in Pakistan and reached as far as Spain, with several patients diagnosed recently.

Last week, insiders speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was ‘highly likely’ the killer virus could soon land in the UK.

According to James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, CCHF is likely to spread ‘through our ticks, at some point’.

The disease is caused by tick-borne Nairovirus and can kill half of those infected.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as the current biggest threat to public health.

Although the cases of CCHF are usually limited to the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, climate change is rewriting the borders of the spread making it more likely for the disease to show up in colder territories, potentially affecting Britain.

Several cases have already been detected in Spain.

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Should we be worried about CCHF spreading in the UK?

WHO marked CCHF as one of its nine ‘priority diseases’ that pose the biggest public health threat.

Iraq was reportedly fighting a mini pandemic of the killer virus last year, with 212 incidents recorded between January and May. Of those, 169 were reported between April and May alone.

Almost 100 additional cases - and 13 deaths - were so far detected there this year.

With Spain already affected, it can be a matter of time until the condition is detected in the UK.

Symptoms of CCHF include headaches, high fever, back and joint pain, stomach ache, and vomiting. Those infected can also suffer from red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate.

According to WHO, severe cases see jaundice, mood swings and sensory perception as well as large areas of bad bruising and heavy nosebleeds as the disease progresses.

In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in hospitalised patients ranged from 9% to as high as 50%.

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Sources used:

- Mirror: 'Symptoms of the killer virus spreading across Europe - and it's 'highly likely' to reach UK'