Health authorities in Castilla-La Mancha have confirmed the region's first case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Ciudad Real. The infection was detected in the Puertollano health district, where a 46-year-old man tested positive before being transferred to the High-Risk Infectious Diseases Unit at Hospital Gómez Ulla in Madrid. Information from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network, this is the first case officially recorded in Ciudad Real.
CCHF is a rare but serious viral disease transmitted mainly by ticks of the genus Hyalomma. Its reported mortality rate ranges from 5% to 40%. Severe illness is more common in patients over 60 and in those with additional risk factors, although adults of any age can be infected. Spain has reported sporadic human cases since 2016, mostly in western and basic parts of the country. The risk to the general population remains low, even as the virus's presence in ticks and wildlife keeps public-health surveillance in focus.
Antonio Mas, a researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine at UCLM and professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, says ticks transmit CCHF along with other diseases. Despite the presence of infected ticks, he emphasizes, the likelihood of contracting the virus after a tick bite remains very low. Mas advocates greater public awareness and recommends wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers in rural areas, preferably white so ticks are easier to spot, then checking carefully for ticks after returning indoors.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that Spain had recorded four locally acquired CCHF cases in 2026 as of 21 October, making it the only European country with locally acquired cases during that reporting period. The agency said no new cases had been reported since epidemiological week 34 and ended its weekly updates for the season. Earlier reported cases in Spain included two in Salamanca, Castilla y León. The virus was detected in Spanish ticks in Cáceres in 2010, and the first human cases were diagnosed in 2016. Wildlife research indicates that the virus has circulated in Spain since at least 2002. By December 2025, 19 human cases had been reported, including two in Castilla-La Mancha. In 2024, a 74-year-old man died after a tick infected him in his garden in Buenas Bodas, Toledo. Another case, involving a 50-year-old man, was confirmed in the province in 2025.
Wildlife findings add ecological context to the virus's presence in Spain. A study of 184 wild ungulates from basic and southern Spain, including deer and wild boar as well as fallow deer, found antibodies against CCHF virus in 58% of the animals sampled. Positive animals were found at every sampling locality. Antibodies indicate prior exposure in wildlife; they do not establish human infection rates or show sustained person-to-person transmission.
Spain's experience with emerging health threats extends beyond infectious diseases. The country has also faced sudden infrastructure emergencies, including when Barcelona authorities evacuated four buildings following the discovery of a large sinkhole. Such incidents highlight the need for rapid responses and public vigilance as risks evolve.
CCHF is a notifiable disease in Spain, requiring immediate reporting and strict infection-control measures. The virus is endemic in several regions, including Africa and Asia, as well as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Its presence in Spain makes continued surveillance and public education impressive. Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure, particularly in rural and agricultural settings, and seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms develop after a tick bite. The Spanish Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation and update its guidance as new information emerges.
