Nina Droff / Photo credit: JOËL BRICOUT / BIOSPHOTO VIA AFP 07:37, 05 June 2023

With tick season resuming, the Health Security Agency has issued an alert against a possible emergence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a disease already present in Africa and Asia and which could develop in France. Vigilance is required against this disease, whose case fatality rate can reach 40%.

This is one of the threats of sunny days, watch out for ticks! Especially for the inhabitants of southern France, where their sting can be formidable. The Health Security Agency warns of a possible emergence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a disease already present in Africa and Asia and which could develop in France. It is a disease similar to the flu, but with a case fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%.

"It can manifest as flu-like symptoms with digestive disorders. It can, in some cases, worsen and result in haemorrhagic symptoms that can be fatal," explains Elsa Quillery, coordinator of scientific expertise at ANSES.

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Present since 2015 on the coast

This disease is transmitted by a specific variety of ticks: the Hyalomma tick. And the latter has been present since 2015 in the south of France, on the Mediterranean coast. "This is a tick that loves the dry, hot climate and the heat of climate change. It will be able to expand and colonize a new area that is favorable to it, "adds the coordinator.

ANSES therefore recommends being vigilant about tick bites. "You really have to watch out for anything that can be fever and redness around the sting during walks. So wear closed shoes, covering clothes. These are ticks that are found more in the maquis, in the scrubland and not necessarily in the forest, "says Elsa Quillery. The Agency also calls for the establishment of a monitoring system for this tick.