HAIRS risk assessment: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
Qualitative assessment of the risk that Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever presents to the UK population.
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Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is not present in the United Kingdom, nor are there any identified established populations of Hyalomma ticks, the principal vectors of CCHF virus (CCHFV). However, there are multiple routes for the introduction of the tick into the UK, including through the movement of migratory birds.
Spain reported their first locally acquired cases of CCHF in 2016. Since then, and as of February 2024, 12 human cases of CCHF have been reported.
In October 2023, French officials reported the detection of CCHFV in Hyalomma marginatum ticks collected from cattle in the eastern Pyrénées. These were the first detections of CCHFV in ticks in France.
This risk assessment was completed to assess the overall risk from CCHF to the UK population.
An earlier CCHF risk assessment was published by Public Health England (PHE).
Updates to this page
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect the geographical expansion of CCHF virus.
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Replaced risk assessment with updated version.
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Added updated risk assessment.
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First published.