Key facts Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a rare, serious viral disease spread to humans by ticks or livestock It is endemic in Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East Outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 40 per cent. Human-to-human transmission can occur if there is close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons Overview Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a virus spread by ticks, which can cause sudden illness, resulting in severe bleeding and death. CCHF is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and some Asian countries. The hosts of the virus include a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Signs and symptoms If you are bitten by a tick, the incubation period is usually one to three days. The incubation period following contact with infected blood or tissues is usually five to six days.…