Ticks infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever were found in Ponferrada

Work carried out by the Higher Council of Scientific Research and the University of Castilla-La Mancha finds the presence in Ponferrada of ticks suffering from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever., a disease with a high mortality rate. 10% of ticks analyzed in the suburban areas of the capital Bierzo are carriers of this virus.

The investigation began after In 2022, a Conservation Service agent (Seprona) died., from the Civil Guard, after a tick bite. In addition, two more cases were identified at the same time, Ical reports.

In order to detect the presence of the virus in these animals, the researchers walked a total of 30 kilometers through the peripheral areas of Ponferrada, capturing almost a hundred ticks using cotton blankets. After analyzing them, they confirmed that 10% of them are carriers of this virus, which can infect people through bites. Near one of the highest incidence rates of Crimean-Congo tick-borne hemorrhagic fever ever recorded.