File photo. [InTime News]
A man over 70 years old has died from a rare but serious tick-borne illness called Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in a village in northern Greece.
The man, who worked as a livestock farmer near Larissa in Thessaly, became very ill and was hospitalized before passing away.
CCHF is caused by a virus spread mainly through the bite of infected ticks or contact with infected animals. Symptoms usually start within two weeks and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, tiredness, stomach pain and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause bleeding and organ failure. There is no specific cure, and the illness can be deadly.
Health officials warn people who spend time outdoors, especially farmers, hunters and hikers – to protect themselves from tick bites by wearing proper clothing and checking for ticks regularly. This is only the second known case in Greece since 2008.