Public Health confirms a case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in El Bierzo – El Bierzo Noticias

Hospital del Bierzo. The patient remains hospitalized in a stable condition in gravity at the Hospital de El Bierzo, and the protocolized epidemiological and care measures have been adopted, both in terms of treatment and identification and control of contacts. The Junta de Castilla y León, through the General Directorate of Public Health and its Epidemiology Service, has confirmed a case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (FHCC) in the Bierzo region. The confirmed case is a middle-aged man, who is admitted to the El Bierzo Hospital, in Ponferrada, with a clinical picture compatible with CCHF He has a tick bite and remains in a stable state, although with the clinical severity that this implies. pathology, with the measures of isolation and protection of health professionals provided for these situations. The Epidemiology Section of the Territorial Health Service of the Junta de Castilla y León in the province of León, in collaboration with the health professionals of the El Bierzo Hospital, has identified the contacts of the affected person to indicate the follow-up to be carried out. The protocol consists of periodically monitoring his body temperature and communicating any change in his health status to his reference epidemiologist. From Public Health, and in coordination with the healthcare field, as soon as the suspicion of this possible case was established, the action and coordination protocol between the health authorities of the Ministry of Health and the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León was launched. , having sent blood samples from the affected person to the National Microbiology Center in Majadahonda (Madrid), of the Carlos III Health Institute, which has confirmed that it is an infection by the Crimea-Congo virus. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is caused by a virus, whose main transmission mechanism is the bite of the tick of the genus “Hyalomma”, although it can also be transmitted from person to person through contact with blood or fluids of the patient, which can occur especially in health personnel when they are not properly protected. Regarding the prevention of bites by these insects, the health authorities recall the importance of wearing appropriate clothing and footwear during field trips, as well as walking on paths and using repellents for both people and pets; Likewise, it must be insisted that the ticks that may have been attached must be removed as soon as possible and in an appropriate manner, preferably by health professionals. Web map