Evaluation of the tick bites in a Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) endemic area in Turkey

Authors: SERPİL EROL, AHMET YENİSOLAK, GÖKNUR YAPAR TOROS, AYŞE ALBAYRAK

Abstract: After the first description of a CCHF outbreak in Turkey, tick bites became an increasing cause of visits to health-care facilities. In this study, we evaluated tick bites in a CCHF endemic region. Materials and methods: The study included cases of tick bites that were referred to 2 hospitals in Erzurum between June and October 2008. All cases were followed-up for 10 days for the results of CCHF. Results: During the study period, 161 patients were admitted for a tick bite. The majority (56.3%) were farmers and housewives. Children ≤ 13 years of age were bitten mostly on the head and neck (44.4%), while adults were bitten mostly on their legs (42.6%). Of the tick attachment sites, 18.3% were on non-visible regions of the body of the victims. In 39.1% of the cases, ticks were removed by medical staff. During a 10-day follow-up, CCHF occurred in 2 cases (1.2%). Conclusion: A tick bite poses an important problem for the resident population in CCHF endemic areas. A detailed body inspection after each outing in areas of possible contact with ticks, as well as the early removal of an attached tick, is important to prevent tick-borne diseases. An inspection of the non-visible regions of the body of the victim should be performed by another person. Education of public and medical staff is required for the prevention and management of tick bites.

Keywords: Tick bite, infection, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

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