France Discovers Eye-Bleeding Virus: A menacing eye-bleeding virus is currently wreaking havoc in France, marking its first appearance within the country. Dubbed the ‘killer’ virus, it’s notorious for its high fatality rate, with four out of ten infected patients succumbing to the disease. French authorities detected this virus through tests conducted at the Spanish border, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The virus was recently identified in ticks located in Pyrenees Orientales, bordering northeastern Spain. This viral strain has been labelled Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), which is transmitted by ticks and is typically associated with hot climates. It’s essential to note that ticks primarily infest animals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus was most recently identified in Spain, where a total of seven cases were reported between 2016 and August 2022, resulting in three fatalities.
This perilous virus bears similarities to Ebola, both in its genetic relation and clinical symptoms. While Ebola cases have surfaced in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Balkans, it has also been sporadically observed in Southern parts of Western Europe, including Spain. Conversely, experts caution that, due to climate change, the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus might extend its reach into Northern Europe, posing a potential threat to Britain.
The WHO assembles an annual priority list that evaluates disease threats, with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) featuring as one of them. Experts emphasize that this disease is primarily transmitted to humans through tick bites.
What Are the Symptoms of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)?
Initially, the symptoms closely resemble those of Ebola, including muscle pain, stomach discomfort, a sore throat, and vomiting. Infected individuals may also experience internal bleeding from the nose and eyes. Other symptoms encompass fever, dizziness, neck pain, stiffness, back pain, headache, and eye pain, among others.
Currently, there is no vaccine available for the treatment of this disease. Prevention and immunity enhancement are the only means to evade this virus. Health authorities in Britain have cautioned travellers to France to remain vigilant and take precautions, especially in areas where the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus has been identified.
It’s worth noting that previous cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in France involved individuals arriving from other countries. CCHF is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick known as Hyalomma marginatum, measuring approximately 5 mm in length.
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