Deadly eye-bleeding virus discovered in France for the first time – and experts fear it could soon reach the UK

FRENCH health officials have discovered one of the world’s deadliest diseases in the country for the first time.

It comes as scientists fear Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) – nicknamed the ‘eye-bleeding fever’ – could reach UK shores very soon.

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The bug has been detected in ticks in the Pyrénées Orientales, which borders north-east Spain, the public health authorities in France said in an update this week.

“No autochthonous cases (infections acquired in the country) have been detected in humans in France to date,” in said.

CCHF is a deadly tick-borne virus, endemic in places with warmer climates such as Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.

The disease kills up to 40 per cent of infected people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In July, British scientists warned the disease could be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the UK and France due to global warming.

The bug had already been found in Spain, with seven cases reported between 2016 to August 2022, three of which died.

During a Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee meeting Professor James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said CCHF may travel to Britain “through our ticks at some point”.

Prof Paul Wigley, of avian infection and immunity, from the University of Liverpool, told The Sun, Prof James was “absolutely correct” in predicting the bug might soon reach the UK.

He said: “There is always potential for virally-infected ticks to enter the country on animals or people allowing CCHF to enter the UK. 

“The reliance of ticks as vectors for transmission does reduce the likelihood of widespread infection, but this is an extremely serious infection if acquired.”

CCHF symptoms include fever, muscle ache, dizziness, light sensitivity and vomiting and it can lead to organ failure and internal bleeding.

The WHO listed CCHF as one of nine “priority diseases” that pose the biggest threat to public health in May.

Prof Isabel Oliver, of the UK Health Security Agency said the risk to the UK population is still “very low” but “the risk may increase in the context of a changing climate and environment”.

A report published in June revealed disease-ridden mosquitoes – carrying several diseases including Rift Valley fever – were found in 26 European countries.

Other diseases on the watch list include dengue fever, chikungunya, West Nile disease, yellow fever and zika.

Brits travelling to the Pyrénées Orientales have been told to avoid being bitten by ticks.

It’s a good idea to avoid going into areas with long grass where ticks are found, according to NHS guidance.

Those going camping, hiking, visiting farms or animal sanctuaries should wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover their arms and legs where possible

They should also wear insect repellent – try to look for one which contains DEET.