On farms, ticks are already known to be at the origin of maladies livestock. “But with global warming, we will certainly see species of ticks arriving on our French territory which are not present today”alerts David Ngwa-Mbot, veterinarian at GDS France. One of them is already in our minds: it is about Hyalomma marginatumwho is vector of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (FHCC).
What is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever?
The FHCC is a zoonotic disease caused by a virus and transmitted by ticks Hyalomma marginatum. This tick mainly bites large animals, including cattle. “The FHCC does not impact the health of our ruminantsspecifically David Ngwa-Mbot, but these, if infected, can be amplifiers of the virus responsible for this disease”.
In humans, infection can cause “fever, chills, uncontrolled bleeding, which can lead to death”noted GDS France in a note published on October 23, 2024.
Is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever present in France?
In France, the FHCC virus was detected for the first time in October 2023, on ticks of the Hyalomma marginatum species collected from cattle in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Corsica. No human contamination has been reported in France to date.
Currently, this tick is found in dry areas of scrubland or maquis in the south of France. It is installed in the departments of Pyrenees-Orientales, hears, Hérault, Gard, Ardeche, Bouches-du-Rhône, Our, Alpes-Maritimes et Corse. This zone will probably expand, particularly as a result of global warming.
-How to protect yourself from Crimean-Congo fever when caring for cattle?
CCHF is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick, but also in the event of contact with the blood of an infected animal on a wound or mucous membranes (by touching the face for example).
Particular vigilance is required when removing the tick from cattle: “The wound caused on the animal may bleed; you must then avoid contact with this blood as well as with the tick if it is crushed”recommends GDS France, which recommends wearing gloves for these operations.
Good hand and tool hygiene also limits the risks of transmission.
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