Assessing the risk of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in southern France - ARCHE

The ARCHE project, based on a multidisciplinary 鈥淥ne Health鈥� approach, combines various disciplines including social sciences, epidemiology, medicine, ecology, ornithology, acarology and virology. Its aim is to analyse the factors driving the emergence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in different parts of southern France.
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Issues

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is mainly transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma genus, and affects both animals and humans. While the disease is often asymptomatic in animals, it can cause severe haemorrhagic fever in humans. The virus is currently circulating widely in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Since 2016, Spain has reported human cases, some of them fatal, demonstrating that CCHFV has also been circulating undetected in southern Europe.

Description

The goal of the ARCHE research project is to improve understanding of how CCHFV virus (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever) is emerging and becoming endemic in France, in particular in the Pyrénées-Orientales region and in Corsica where it has been detected in ticks. The aim is to anticipate possible human cases by analysing risk factors and the mechanisms of transmission between animals, ticks and humans.

The project seeks to model epidemic processes, to assess possible scenarios and to propose appropriate prevention strategies. Its aim is to provide useful information for the health authorities and to improve the management of health risks linked to CCHFV.

A global approach for better crisis management in the event of an outbreak

Through a multidisciplinary “One Health” approach combining social sciences, epidemiology, medicine, ecology, ornithology, acarology and virology, the ARCHE project is working to understand the factors driving the emergence of CCHFV.

Although every outbreak depends on a specific local socio-ecosystem, ARCHE is breaking new ground by proposing an innovative and operational global method to characterise socio-ecosystems, map out epidemiological processes, assess probable scenarios and propose strategies to manage the risk of emergence.

Expected results

In line with recommendations from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the Covid-19 crisis, the approach adopted by ARCHE is designed to provide forward-looking information for decision-makers in the public health, medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental sectors. It will also help to shape effective communication content and media tools to prevent or reduce the impacts of CCHFV outbreaks.