Tick (hyalomma) bite

jao037 · Apr 28, 2022

Hi,
I am Johannes, 63 yrs, walking with my spouse from Sevilla to Santiago. All fine until yesterday.

During a rest pause (most probably) in a beautiful spot between Canaveral and Grimaldo, between some pine trees, I got bitten by a tick (large, about 8–10 mm, and hard) most probably Hyalomma sp. I discovered it a few hours later when showering. Removed it completely (was already firmly attached but no blood inside).

Not familiar with Spanish ticks I searched on internet to find out about risk of Lyme disease… Unfortunately, these ticks may transfer a completely different but far more dangerous pathogen: Crimean Congo virus, which may lead to severe hemorrhagic fever!

About three percent of ticks are infected! Incubation after tick bite 1-4 days. The first day has passed, I am free of symptoms.

Has anybody in the forum experience with a bite of these ticks? Apart from a publication in a newspaper (63 yr old Peregrino, fatal unfortunately) I cannot find related posts.

Burn Camino, Johannes

henrythedog · Apr 28, 2022

Well, as you’ve probably found out by now, if you’ve got CC virus; you’re going to die.

Looking on the bright side, as there’s no treatment, there’s not much point worrying about it.

(It doesn’t appear to be present in Western Europe)

VNwalking · Apr 28, 2022

henrythedog said:
(It doesn’t appear to be present in Western Europe)

No direct experience, @jao037, but as you know, it is in Spain:

VNwalking said:
There was a thread about ticks that ended badly a while ago and I'm (please) NOT wanting to resurrect the topics that cased that argument.

But I just noticed this story in the news and think it's wise that we as pilgrims be aware of it:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ntain-rare-outbreak-of-fatal-tick-borne-fever
It's certainly not something to freak out about, but at the same time it's something to take seriously...

From the article.
"The 62-year-old man, who died on 25 August in Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón hospital, is thought to have contracted the fever after being bitten by a tick while walking in the countryside in the Castilla-Léon region of Spain."

Digging a little, I found that he'd been walking near Avila.
So if you're on a remote Camino (especially on the Sureste around there) and plan on bashing through the bushes, please take the same precautions as you would if you were in an area where there's' Lyme disease. Reliable information about that can be found here.

You can always go to a local health center - talking to a local doc may give you the information you need.

henrythedog · Apr 28, 2022

VNwalking said:
It is in Spain:

I retract my previous advice! I’d always regarded Lyme’s as a risk and carry a tick-remover and a few doxycycline as a precaution.

Options with CC appear to range from consulting a local doctor to proactively cancelling any magazine subscriptions.

I hope the OP is well, and continues to be.

Former member 92300 · Apr 28, 2022

Well, if 3 percent of ticks are infected, there is a 97% chance you weren't bitten by an infected tick - so that is good! But if still concerned - consult a doctor!

jao037 · Apr 28, 2022

henrythedog said:
Well, as you’ve probably found out by now, if you’ve got CC virus; you’re going to die.

Looking on the bright side, as there’s no treatment, there’s not much point worrying about it.

(It doesn’t appear to be present in Western Europe)

Not very helpful ) , and incorrect.
1. CC virus is present in Spain
2. case fatality is 30% in admitted patients
3. there is no curative treatment, but supportive treatment can be given if/as needed (similar to SARS-cov-19 approach two years ago: no cure but supportive treatment…)

My question is whether other peregrines have experienced bites of these ticks?

J Willhaus · Apr 28, 2022

@JAO)37 did you save the tick in a bag or pill bottle? If you did or if you can retrieve it, you may want to take it with you if you visit a clinic. I could be identified and perhaps sent for analysis.

My husband was bitten by a bat once and was able to take the bat for analysis. This helped him avoid rabies injections when the analysis came back that the bat was not a rabies carrier.

Jeff Crawley · Apr 28, 2022

jao037 said:
Hi,
I am Johannes, 63 yrs, walking with my spouse from Sevilla to Santiago. All fine until yesterday.

During a rest pause (most probably) in a beautiful spot between Canaveral and Grimaldo, between some pine trees, I got bitten by a tick (large, about 8–10 mm, and hard) most probably Hyalomma sp. I discovered it a few hours later when showering. Removed it completely (was already firmly attached but no blood inside).

Not familiar with Spanish ticks I searched on internet to find out about risk of Lyme disease… Unfortunately, these ticks may transfer a completely different but far more dangerous pathogen: Crimean Congo virus, which may lead to severe hemorrhagic fever!

About three percent of ticks are infected! Incubation after tick bite 1-4 days. The first day has passed, I am free of symptoms.

Has anybody in the forum experience with a bite of these ticks? Apart from a publication in a newspaper (63 yr old Peregrino, fatal unfortunately) I cannot find related posts.

Burn Camino, Johannes

Glad you manage to remove it without breaking the body - hope things work out OK for you and you have a successful and rather more uneventful remainder of your Camino.

Buen Camino

jao037 · Apr 28, 2022

I did not retrieve the tick, flushed it in the shower… As there is no causative treatment tick analysis seems not opportune atm. I will only visit a doctor when I become I’ll. Up to now (1 1/2 day) I am fine.
We continue the Camino… Tomorrow we will go 30 km to Caparra (Oliva de Plasencia in fact). The day after that will be day 3. Most cases -after tick bite- would have developed by then, I learned from reading studies.
So hoping for the best…
Burn Camino all.

J Willhaus · Apr 28, 2022

Good thoughts and prayers heading your way. Please keep us informed.

ivar · Apr 29, 2022

Will close this thread... difficult to get accurate medical advice here on the Camino forum. Hope you see a doctor if you are not feeling well.

Buen Camino!
Ivar

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