Gelisim News

As the weather gets hotter, ticks in the green areas become dangerous. The possibility of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease (CCHF) which may develop as a result of tick bites has been increasing. Stating that symptoms of the disease appear later, Istanbul Gelisim University Public Health Specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin said: “The disease does not show symptoms in animals. Since animals are asymptomatic, the animals in areas where the disease is common may appear healthy, but they may transmit the disease. Animal owners shall disinfect their animals against ticks. Animal shelters shall prevent the conditions providing the ticks to live.”

Giving information about the risk groups about the disease, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin warned: “Farmers and shepherds engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, butchers and slaughterhouse workers, veterinary physicians, health personnel in contact with CCHF patients, campers and people who picnic unprotected, laboratory workers, and relatives of patients living in the regions where the disease is seen are at risk. Due to the upcoming Eid al-Adha, we need to be alert to the danger of ticks in the sacrificial animal markets.”

Stating that the disease shows symptoms after the incubation period which could last for 1-14 days depending on the way the virus spread, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin said: “Complaints such as fever, exhaustion, chill, tremble, muscle pain, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, redness of the face and eyes, skin rash make the disease appear. In the later stages of the disease, bleeding in the skin and in the gums, nosebleed, gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding in the lungs and brain may occur.”

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin gave information about what a person should do when a tick is attached to her/his skin, as follows:
“The tick must be removed with a suitable material (gloves, cloth or bag, etc.) from the nearest place where it is attached to the body, provided that it is not touched with bare hands without losing any time. After the tick is removed, an antiseptic solution should be applied to the place of the tick. However, if the person cannot remove the tick herself/ himself, s/he should apply to the nearest health institution. The earlier the tick is removed, the lower the risk of infection. Processes such as chemical spillage on ticks and burning with matches can increase the risk of ticks transmitting disease. People should avoid such practices.”

Stating that one has to monitor the symptoms on her/his body following the removal of the tick, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin said: “The one should monitor herself/himself for 10 days in terms of symptoms such as exhaustion, loss of appetite, fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. If one or more of these symptoms occur, s/he should immediately contact with the nearest health institution.”

Stating that people who have the disease can also transmit this disease, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin said: “The disease can be transmitted by blood and body fluids. Therefore, people who contact with patients should take the necessary protection measures (gloves, aprons, masks, etc.). Unprotected contact with blood and body fluids should be avoided. It is important that people with a history of suspected contact be monitored for signs of fever and fever for 14 days.”

Stating that Turkey is available for ticks to live in terms of geography, Assist. Prof. Dr. Nurten Elkin said: “Precautions should be taken when going to the tick-risk areas such as field, vineyard, garden and picnic areas, pastures, shrubs, animal shelters, animal markets. Clothes that cover the body should be worn to prevent ticks from entering the body, trousers should be inserted into the socks, boots should be worn if possible.”