A deadly virus is currently sweeping its way across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and is predicted to be heading towards British shores, according to experts.
The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) first broke out in Namibia and Iraq, and has spread to places like Spain and Pakistan, reports the Mirror.
An urgent health warning has already been broadcasted in what has been described as the biggest threat to public health currently - and climate change is feared to be speeding up the infection rate.
Spreading through ticks, CCHF is caused by Nairovirus, and as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 per cent.
Recently, insiders speaking to Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee have revealed it is "highly likely" the disease could hit the UK soon.
During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said the disease could spread through the country "through our ticks, at some point".
CCHF is feared to be spreading out of its typical territories and heading towards the UK and France, due to climate change.
Read on below for everything we know about the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, including symptoms and reported deaths.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) symptoms
Among the virus' main symptoms include:
- A high fever
- Headaches
- Back and joint pain
- Stomach aches
- Red eyes
- Vomiting
- A flushed face
- Red throat
- Petechiae (red spots)
WHO warned in serious cases of CCHF, mood swings, sensory perception and jaundice have been encountered.
As the illness worsens, large areas of bruising, severe nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites can be seen. These symptoms begin on around the fourth day of illness, and last for about a fortnight.
In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in patients who have been hospitalised ranged from nine person to as high as 50 per cent.
The long-term effects of CCHF infection have not been studied well enough in survivors to determine whether or not specific complications exist.
However, recovery is known to be slow.
How is CCHF spread?
According to WHO, human-to-human infection can occur, due to "lose contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons".
Worryingly, there is currently no vaccine available for CCHF for either humans or animals infected with the disease.
CCHF is transmitted from animal to human through bites from ticks, or through contact with infected animal tissues or blood immediately after their slaughter.
Hosts of CCHF include a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.
The WHO have also said that the majority of cases have occurred in those working in the livestock industry, like veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers and agricultural workers.
Current reported deaths of CCHF
Iraq was reported to be in a huge battle with the disease in 2022, with 212 incidents recorded between January 1 and May 22. Of those, 169 were reported between April and May alone.
Agence France-Presse added in May that almost 100 additional cases - and 13 deaths - were so far in 2023 attributed to the toll in Iraq.
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