Virus which 'kills 40 per cent' found in Spanish holiday hotspot

The Tormes river pass trough the town of Ledesma, province of Salamanca (Castilla y Leon), Spain.

Ledesma, province of Salamance. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has been found in the area (Image: undefined via Getty Images)

British holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain are being warned of a serious health risk after a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was reported in the popular tourist region of Salamanca.

The Foreign Office's Travel Health Pro website has confirmed the presence of the virus, which can lead to symptoms ranging from mild, such as fever and headache, to severe, including bleeding, bruising, multi-organ failure, and even shock.

The severity of CCHF is alarming, with some instances resulting in a fatality rate of up to 40 per cent, as noted by Travel Health Pro. An official statement from THP on 28 May 2025 revealed: "On 28 May 2025, local health officials have reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Salamanca. The case was exposed via a tick bite."

Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified CCHF as one of the most significant threats to public health. It is believed that each year there are between 10-15,000 human cases of CCHF globally, leading to around 500 deaths, although these figures may be underestimated due to unreported cases.

The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is predominantly prevalent in Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and western and south-central Asia, with the first reported cases in Spain in 2013 and Portugal in 2024.

According to Travel Health Pro, "In fatal cases, death occurs from haemorrhage, multi-organ failure and shock. It is possible that many people who are infected do not have symptoms, making it difficult to know the true number of cases."

The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) "priority pathogen" guide aims to assist scientists and researchers in focusing their efforts and accelerating the development of vaccines when needed most. This list of 24 pathogen families is the first to consider global health threats as well as those specific to the UK population.

Rapid test device or cassette for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF) virus test, Nairovirus test, Tick borne virus, Nosebleed fever.

Rapid test device for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - it can lead to severe symptoms (Image: Getty)

Dr Isabel Oliver, UKHSA's chief scientific officer, stated: "We live at the time of increasing challenges and increasing risks from infectious diseases.

"However, thanks to scientific advancements, we have better tools than ever to protect health against these threats. That being said, there are areas where we still need more or better diagnostics, vaccines, and medicines, and this tool has been designed to inform the work of government research funders, as well as our partners in industry and academia who are crucial to the development of these tools that we desperately need."

To develop the tool, specialists appraised the pandemic and epidemic potential of each viral family by examining factors such as the severity of disease, transmission routes, and historic pandemics involving known pathogens within the family.

Every category received a designation of high, medium or low risk depending on evaluations by scientists at UKHSA. The tool also covers whether the risk is exacerbated by climate change, the availability of vaccines, and the probability of human-to-human transmission.

The register does not indicate that UKHSA believes these pathogens are most likely to cause the next pandemic, but signals areas in need of advanced scientific research and more funding. Dr Oliver commented: "We haven't ranked because the situation is constantly evolving, as you can imagine, and one of the things that we do in the UKHSA is undertake surveillance and monitor threats."

UKHSA's concerns include the altered distribution patterns of disease-spreading mosquitoes and ticks due to climate and environmental changes, added Dr Oliver.

She explained that these concerns involve shifts in the prevalence of mosquitoes and ticks that harbour viruses detrimental to both human and animal health, which are under meticulous observation.

"The UKHSA maintains surveillance of mosquitoes and ticks, and we work with partners in local government and animal health and other sectors to really understand any changes that might potentially affect our health in the UK."

UKHSA "priority pathogen" list.

VIRUSES