As the weather gets warmer in the world and in our country, the increase in the possibility of contact with ticks creates fear against tick bites. Experts warn the society by stating that the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever caused by a tick bite has become an endemic disease. In order to be protected from CCHF, citizens should be aware of tick bites and make an early diagnosis. Professor of Infectious Diseases-Clinical Microbiology Department. Dr. Nurcan Baykam stated that CCHF cases are expected to be seen and gave information about the ways to prevent the disease.
THERE ARE THREE IMPORTANT POINTS
Emphasizing that there are three important points in the management of CCHF disease, Prof. Dr. Baykam said, “The first is to prevent the transmission of the virus transmitted by ticks that adhere to the human body. The second is to increase the sensitivity of both the public and health workers about the early recognition of the disease. The third is to provide the necessary medical attention to patients who are diagnosed or pre-diagnosed.”
IT CAN CONTINUE UNTIL SEPTEMBER
Stating that the tick cases that started in April could continue until September, Baykam called for people dealing with livestock, going to the fields and gardens, to take precautions so that ticks do not come into contact with the body. Stating that ticks do not fly, they come onto the human body by walking, Baykam said that people can prevent the tick from sticking to the body by putting the hems of their trousers into their socks for protection.
THE TICK NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE BODY
Baykam, who called for those working in the field or in the garden to check whether ticks have adhered to their bodies when they return to their homes, said, “Because the shorter the ticks cling to the body, the less transmission of the virus. The tick needs to be removed from the body immediately. Also, the tick should not be touched with bare hands. We have a glove or cloth on our hands. “We should remove it from the body by holding it with it. The most ideal method for removing the tick from the body is the forceps. But there are cases where we cannot remove the tick when it clings tightly. Then we must go to a health institution and have the tick removed immediately,” he said.
INCREASED IN CASE WITH THE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC
Explaining that since 2002-2003, cases of this disease have been followed and diagnosed in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Baykam said, “The number of cases increased over the years. Then, there was a decrease in the number of cases due to the increase in awareness, education of the society, the measures taken by the ministry and the spraying of animals. However, there has been a slight increase in the cases due to the demand for rural areas in the settlement area recently, due to the effect of the pandemic.”
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO REMOVE TICK
Noting that the pandemic has increased the awareness of the cases in the society, Baykam said:
“Now the whole world has become more susceptible to an epidemic. He saw how important the measures taken to prevent an infectious disease were. We think that these will reflect positively. People will show the same sensitivity in taking similar precautions at the point of contact with a tick for CCHF as they show to the corona virus during the pandemic period. This change of consciousness has come with the pandemic. We hope that the number of cases will decrease even more. We must take measures to minimize tick contact and to remove the tick from the body quickly.”
IF SYMPTOMS ARE OBSERVED, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION ASAP.
Pointing out that the first initial findings of Covid-19 and CCHF are similar to each other, Prof. Dr. Baykam said, “We are experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic. I hope we are coming to the end. Here the initial initial findings are very similar. Because the first symptoms in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease are headache, fever, weakness, muscle aches in the body, body pain, nausea, sometimes diarrhea, redness in the eyes and face. These findings can be seen in many diseases. The same findings can be seen at the beginning in Covid-19. For this reason, those who have these complaints should apply to health centers quickly. In addition, patients who apply to health institutions should definitely warn their physicians by expressing that they are dealing with animal husbandry and that I may have contact with ticks. Our physicians should be especially aware of this issue and should not be sensitive. The patient who comes with similar complaints should definitely be questioned because early diagnosis is very important. When diagnosed early, we will prevent other transmissions, and the necessary treatments can be done quickly,” he said.