Climate change is already having, and will continue to have, a significant effect on global health. This is likely to be greatest in rural poorer populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, richer countries, such as the UK, will also probably be on the receiving end of emerging infectious disease threats as the country warms.
Infections that are mainly found in the tropics are on the move to new locations. Dengue, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, is becoming more widely reported in European countries, particularly in some parts of Italy and France. The West Nile virus, which is also spread by mosquitoes, has been common across many states in the US, with typically more than 1,000 cases reported each year.
Another virus shifting to new locations is the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which is transmitted by ticks. Most cases occur in Africa or Asia, but cases have been reported in several European countries, including Spain, Turkey, Greece, Russia and Ukraine, with recent media reports warning we might see the virus arrive in the UK.
So what is CCHFV, and should we be worried? Let’s take a look.
There are approximately 15,000 cases of CCHFV a year, globally. CCHFV is a serious pathogen – typically between 10-40% of people who contract the virus will die from it.
As the name suggests, CCHFV is part of a group of diseases known as viral haemorrhagic fevers. These are described as causing “severe multi-system syndrome”, meaning multiple organ systems in the body are affected. These infections can also be accompanied by severe bleeding. Other viruses in this group include Ebola, Marburg, dengue, and Rift Valley fever virus.