Key facts
- Since the beginning of 2026, and as at 21 October 2026, one country in Europe has reported locally acquired cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF): Spain (four cases).
- As no new CCHF cases have been reported since week 34, ECDC concludes its weekly update reports for the 2026 season.
Overview
Since the beginning of 2026, and as at 21 October 2026, one country in Europe has reported locally acquired1 cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF): Spain (4 cases).
Of the four cases reported in 2026, three were notified in Salamanca, where cases have also been reported in previous years, and one in Ciudad Real, which reported its first locally acquired human case. In 2026, no healthcare-associated transmissions were reported, i.e. all individuals were infected through tick bites. The reported dates of symptom onset were between 11 June 2026 and 7 August 2026.
The report is available online.
ECDC assessment
For the general population, the risk of contracting CCHF in the areas where the virus is known to be present in Spain is low. This risk increases for people undertaking outdoor activities that expose them to tick bites (e.g. hunting, forestry work, hiking, animal surveillance). As a general precaution against CCHF, but also against other tick-borne diseases, people who may potentially be exposed to ticks should apply personal protective measures (ECDC Protective Measures against ticks).
In Spain, CCHF virus is mainly transmitted to humans by ticks of the genus Hyalomma. While Hyalomma lusitanicum plays a key role in virus maintenance and transmission dynamics, Hyalomma marginatum is generally considered to be the principal species involved in transmission to humans. Hyalomma marginatum is widely present in southern and eastern Europe and Hyalomma lusitanicum is present in parts of southern Europe.
More information on CCHF can be found in ECDC's factsheet. In December 2023, ECDC published a report on the spatial distribution of CCHF based on predicted ecological suitability.