6th tick-related death in Sivas: Warnings were ignored

In Sivas province, a tragic increase has been observed in deaths occurring in the first six months of the year due to infections caused by the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus. Most recently, a 60-year-old citizen engaged in animal husbandry in Tokat contracted the virus after removing a tick attached to his body himself and subsequently fell ill. After his treatment in Tokat, the patient's condition worsened and he was referred to Sivas, but despite all interventions here, he could not be saved and lost his life. With this incident, the death toll due to the CCHF virus transmitted through tick bites or contact in the city since the beginning of the year has risen to 6.

In this incident, which is frequently seen in the region like Tokat, the victim removing the tick with his own means without medical assistance played a critical role in the transmission and worsening course of the disease. Health authorities have repeatedly reminded citizens, especially those living in rural areas and working in animal husbandry, to be careful while in direct contact with ticks. Experts emphasize that when a tick is found, it should never be touched with bare hands, removed or crushed; on the contrary, the nearest health institution should be consulted. The increase in Sivas reveals that these warnings are not being heeded enough or that precautions have been relaxed, posing a serious risk to public health.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, commonly known as 'tick fever' among the public, is transmitted to humans by ticks, which are carriers of the virus, and causes serious health problems. Even if the tick is collected from the environment and touched, if the entry of the virus into the human body cannot be prevented, the process starting with symptoms such as high fever, weakness and headache can progress to bleeding and organ failure. Ticks, whose activity increases especially starting from the spring months, increase the risk factor in forests, meadows and places where animals are found. Therefore, veterinarians and doctors recommend that people in the risk group in particular not neglect their regular check-ups and go to the hospital without delay in a suspicious situation.

In their statements regarding the issue, the Sivas Provincial Health Directorate and relevant institutions stated that citizens should apply the correct method without panicking and without trying to crush or pull off the tick in case of a tick bite. An incorrect intervention while removing the tick can cause the virus to mix into the bloodstream from microscopic wounds on the person's skin through pathogens in the tick's salivary glands or body fluids. This can shorten the incubation period of the disease and cause clinical findings to appear more quickly and severely. As seen in the recent case, if timely and correct medical intervention is not performed, the virus can rapidly take a fatal course.

This situation, which is of great importance for public health, has once again brought to the fore that the awareness of the regional population is vital. Citizens engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry in regions where ticks are dense are recommended to wear long-sleeved clothes, tuck trouser cuffs into socks and prefer light-colored clothing. Trying to destroy a tick found on the body by suffocating it, burning it with flammable materials or removing it with fingernails is among the most wrong methods that can be resorted to. The recent death in Sivas and the 5 cases prior to that tragically confirm the importance of precautions and education and what tragic consequences they can lead to when ignored.