Spain has reached a new peak in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases, with four confirmed infections and one fatality reported so far in 2026. The latest case involves a 71-year-old man visiting Salamanca who tested positive and was transferred to Hospital Gómez Ulla in Madrid for specialized isolation. This is the highest annual number of cases in the past decade. Information from the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (Seimc), the disease is shifting from rare to endemic in Spain.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that, as of 21 October 2026, Spain was the only European country with locally acquired cases that year, recording four infections. Its seasonal surveillance update noted that no additional cases had been reported since epidemiological week 34. On 23 October, ECDC ended its weekly reporting for the 2026 season. The figures place Spain’s cases in a Europe-wide context and distinguish local transmission from imported infections.
Regional health authorities in Castilla y León have activated strict protocols to contain the outbreak. They are monitoring all close contacts of the infected patient, with regular temperature checks and instructions to report health changes to their assigned epidemiologist. The protocols require patients to be treated in High-Level Isolation Units because bodily fluids pose a high risk of contagion. Medical staff use advanced protective equipment to limit exposure.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, once considered an exotic threat, is now a real concern during Spain’s warmer months. Most infections remain asymptomatic or cause mild flu-like symptoms, but up to 30% of symptomatic cases can develop severe hemorrhagic complications. The disease has a mortality rate between 20% and 40%, and even healthy young adults risk serious illness. There is currently no approved vaccine or proven treatment; only experimental therapies are available.
The National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (Renave, ISCIII) has documented 23 cases in the last decade, all requiring hospitalization. Six men aged 51 to 80 have died from hemorrhagic complications. Most exposures have occurred in Salamanca, with cases also identified in Badajoz and Cáceres, as well as Toledo. The tick species Hyalomma lusitanicum, the basic vector, is now widespread across the Iberian Peninsula, increasing infection risk in many regions.
Climate change is believed to be expanding the habitat of these ticks, making the disease a growing concern beyond traditional hotspots. The National Plan for the Prevention, Surveillance, and Control of Tick-Borne Diseases, launched two years ago, guides the current response. Avoiding tick bites remains the only reliable prevention method. Healthcare professionals and the public are urged to stay alert, especially during the high-risk period from April to August.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease transmitted mainly by tick bites or direct contact with infected animal blood or tissues. The illness can progress rapidly, with symptoms ranging from fever and muscle pain to severe bleeding and organ failure. Spain’s experience reflects a broader trend of emerging infectious diseases linked to environmental changes and increased human-animal contact. Vigilance and public education, supported by investment in surveillance, are impressive to limit further spread and protect vulnerable populations.
