The 8 signs of deadly eye bleeding virus which kills 30% of patients – as it reaches Europe

A DEADLY virus that causes bleeding from the eyes has reached Europe.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) kills 30 per cent of those who it infects and is edging closer to the UK.

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Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is mainly carried by the Hyalomma tick, artists impression above[/caption]

Over the weekend it was reported that a man in the city of Leon, in Spain’s North West, was diagnosed with the condition.

The unnamed patient was hospitalised last week in Leon before being airlifted to another hospital.

Cases are rare in Northern Europe with only 3 cases in Spain since 2011.

In March, a British woman was diagnosed with CCHF, the UK’s fourth case since 2012.

She was treated at the Royal Free in London.

But what are the signs you need to look out for when it comes to CCHF?

After a person is bitten by an infected tick, it can take one to three days before symptoms appear.

But, the incubation period is five to six days, and can be up to 13, if you come into contact with infected blood or body tissues.

Symptoms appear suddenly and include:

1. fever
2. muscle aches
3. dizziness
4. neck pain and stiffness
5. backache
6. headache
7. sore eyes
8. sensitivity to the light

Infected people may also suffer:

• sickness and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• stomach pain
• sore throat

After two to four days, mood swings and confusion will be replaced by sleepiness and depression.

Other signs can include a fast heart rate, enlarged glands and a rash, caused by bleeding into the skin, as well as severe nosebleeds and bleeding gums.

Severely ill patients will suffer rapid kidney failure, sudden liver and heart failure, around five days after falling ill.

CCHF is deadly in around a third of cases, causing death around two weeks after falling ill.

It’s endemic in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia.

And outbreaks have been reported in Russia, Turkey, Iran, Albania, Pakistan and southern Africa in recent years.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was first found in Crimea in 1944 and therefore was initially given the name, Crimean haemorrhagic fever.

In 1969 it was found to be the cause of illness in the Congo, which was why the name was changed to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

It’s caused by infection with a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) in the family in Bunyaviridae.

Treatment for people who have the illness includes careful attention to the fluid in take the patient has.

Experts at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US say the balance of electrolytes also needs to be monitored.

The virus is sensitive to the antiviral drug ribavirin and this has been used on some patients to help them recover.