Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Spain

Health authorities in Spain have confirmed multiple cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in 2026. Initial reports identified cases including a 71-year-old man in Salamanca who required specialized isolation in Madrid. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) noted that all reported cases of the disease in Europe this year have occurred in Spain, primarily transmitted via infected Hyalomma ticks.

By mid-August, the confirmed case count rose to three, with one fatality reported in the province of Salamanca. The other two cases were identified in Salamanca and Ciudad Real, with authorities stating all resulted from tick bites. The ECDC is monitoring the situation closely, describing the virus as a “newly emerging threat in Europe.”

While not currently causing a massive epidemic, health officials expressed concern regarding the potential for the virus to spread to other European regions due to changing climate conditions and the movement of ticks and their hosts. CCHF is a tick-borne illness that can cause severe symptoms, including high fever, muscle pain, and dizziness; serious cases can lead to bleeding and organ failure. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that mortality rates in outbreaks can range from 10 to 40 percent. Currently, there is no widely available vaccine, and treatment is primarily supportive care.