Turkey observes increase in numbers of viral disease transmitted through ticks

Duvar English

The Turkish Health Ministry's Science Committee on the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) noted a spike in the number of cases in 2020, urging extra precautions against ticks, the most common carriers of the viral disease.

Some 15 people have died from CCHF and there have been a reported 480 cases in Turkey up until June 10, the committee said following their June 11 meeting.

A fever, headache, body aches and fatigue are CCFF's most common symptoms, and the virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids, as well as through contact with a tick.

The ministry urged everyone to wear clothing that covers the body as much as possible when going to high-risk areas like fields, vines, gardens, woods and picnic areas where the tiny arachnids roam freely.

"Pants should be tucked into socks and lighter-colored garments should be preferred to make ticks easier to notice," the ministry said.

People should check themselves and their kids for ticks upon returning from high-risk areas, the ministry said.

"If there's a tick on the skin, it should immediately be removed, without touching it with bare skin," the statement added.

If a person can't remove a tick by grabbing it at the point where it's closest to the skin, they should immediately report to a health institution, the statement added.