The Mediterranean nations of Spain and Greece are facing an alarming surge in Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases, triggering widespread concern among public health authorities across Europe and the globe. Traditionally confined to parts of Africa, Asia, and the Balkans, the recent European outbreaks signify a dramatic geographic shift for the deadly tick-borne virus, one that experts say is accelerated by climate change.
As of July 2025, confirmed CCHF cases have emerged in both Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia regions, and in northern Greek provinces such as Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia, according to health updates from Spain’s Ministry of Health and the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY). With temperatures rising and tick habitats expanding, public health officials are now racing to contain further spread.
“We’re seeing vector-borne diseases moving into areas previously unaffected,” said Dr. Helena de la Fuente, an infectious disease specialist at Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute. “This is no longer an isolated issue; it’s a continental concern.”
What is CCHF and Why is it Dangerous?
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is caused by the Nairovirus, typically transmitted via bites from infected Hyalomma ticks, or through contact with blood or tissues from infected livestock or people. The disease can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and shock. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified CCHF as one of its top nine “priority diseases” due to its high fatality rate—ranging between 10% and 40%—and absence of a specific antiviral treatment.
CCHF was first identified in Crimea in 1944, then later linked to a similar strain isolated from a child in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1956. Since then, the disease has surfaced in scattered outbreaks, but the scale and location of current cases in Western Europe are unprecedented.
Symptoms and Transmission
CCHF typically begins with sudden high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, and vomiting. In more severe cases, patients may experience jaundice, mood disturbances, and life-threatening haemorrhaging, particularly around the fourth day of illness. The disease can rapidly progress, and without prompt hospital care, often leads to multi-organ failure.
The UK Health Security Agency estimates that around 10,000 to 15,000 people contract CCHF annually worldwide, with at least 500 fatalities, though actual figures may be higher due to underreporting in rural and conflict-stricken regions.
Climate Change Expands the Threat Zone
One of the most alarming aspects of the 2025 outbreak is the role of climate change in expanding the habitat range of disease-carrying ticks. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), warmer winters and extended dry seasons have allowed tick populations to thrive and migrate into previously temperate zones like southern Spain and Greece.
The ECDC’s recent vector mapping shows that Hyalomma ticks, once restricted to parts of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, are now firmly established across swathes of southern Europe, including Italy, Portugal, and Turkey. Experts warn that without intervention, outbreaks could reach France, Germany, and even Central Europe.
Impact on Travel and Tourism
The outbreak threatens to disrupt summer tourism in the Mediterranean, with both Spain and Greece being among Europe’s top holiday destinations. The European Travel Commission (ETC) has issued advisories encouraging travelers to avoid tick-infested rural areas, use insect repellents, and wear long clothing during nature excursions.
Authorities have not yet imposed restrictions on domestic or international travel, but local officials are urging hikers, agricultural workers, and nature tourists to exercise caution. Public health campaigns in Greek islands, Andalusian villages, and Spanish national parks now include multilingual educational material about tick avoidance and symptoms of early infection.
Global Health Response and Prevention Measures
The World Health Organization, along with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, is monitoring the outbreaks and coordinating response strategies. In Greece, quarantine measures have been introduced in affected villages, while Spain has activated emergency vector control teams in rural regions.
Recommended preventive measures include:
- Avoiding tick habitats such as overgrown grasslands
- Wearing light-colored clothing to detect ticks easily
- Applying DEET-based insect repellent
- Regular livestock health checks in farming zones
- Proper handling and disposal of infected animal materials
- Isolation and PPE for healthcare workers treating infected patients
No vaccine is currently available for public use, though clinical trials in Turkey and Iran are ongoing.
What Lies Ahead?
The expansion of CCHF into the heart of Europe is a grim reminder of how climate instability is reshaping global disease patterns. With Mediterranean countries already grappling with record heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts, the added burden of an emerging haemorrhagic fever could stretch public health systems thin.
“There is an urgent need for cross-border surveillance, climate-resilient healthcare systems, and investment in disease modeling,” said Dr. Maria Kotsopoulou of Athens University Medical School. “This is no longer a regional issue—it’s a European and global concern.”
As public health officials continue to track the outbreak, the international tourism community must remain informed, vigilant, and proactive, especially as peak travel season unfolds in Europe’s most visited sunbelt nations.
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