The Regional Health Agency of Corsica confirmed on Wednesday, April 24, the information from our colleagues at Le Point announcing the presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (FCHF) detected in ticks in Corsican territory.
“The presence of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus has been known in Corsica for several years in cattle,” recalls the ARS before indicating that “what is novel is the detection of the disease in cattle, which is an insect vector”. the disease potentially transmissible to humans.”
The health agency highlights that “since last March, within the framework of health monitoring,” it has raised awareness through a newsletter among health professionals and elected officials “about this risk of emerging pathologies.”
In the monthly bulletin of the month of March, the ARS indicates that a new risk is identified on the Mediterranean pour with detection for the premiere in 2023 of the virus de la fièvre hémorragique Crimée-Congo sur des tickets du sud de France.”
Reminder of preventive measures
Therefore, the ARS recommends following good practices when going out into the woods or Corsican bush, including wearing closed-toe shoes and light-colored covering clothing, avoiding tall grass, bushes or low branches or even inspecting your belongings when returning from outdoor activities. The list of good reflexes to adopt can be found in the ARS press release.
Finally, the ARS indicates that prevention messages are currently being finalized at the national level for the general public and risk groups.
“Information will be provided to health professionals during the start of the arbovirus surveillance season (viruses transmitted by insect bites) in early May,” the health agency finally concludes.
Infectious pathologies transmitted by ticks have tended to spread in recent years in several European countries, in particular due to climate change, according to French health authorities.
Source: BFM TV
