{
  "id": 5959636,
  "title": "Germany, Kosovo unite against ticks carrying deadly virus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/germany-kosovo-unite-against-ticks-carrying-deadly-virus-5959636",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-06T10:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Deutsche Welle Science",
    "slug": "deutsche-welle-science",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/germany-kosovo-unite-against-ticks-carrying-deadly-virus/a-78655223?maca=en-rss-en-science-4552-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Hyalomma tick, also known as the \"great hunting tick,\" was once prevalent mainly in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. However, due to climate change, it can now thrive in northern regions and has been discovered in Germany and Eastern European countries. Kosovo has long been a hotspot for this tick. The tick is a carrier of the highly infectious Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, which can lead to severe internal bleeding and death. Kosovo's veterinarian Kurtesh Sherifi first learned about the virus in 2005 when he read about its impact on his homeland, with 11 people contracting the disease and five fatalities reported. Sherifi, intrigued by zoonotic diseases, began working at the University of Pristina's faculty of agriculture and veterinary medicine, facing challenges due to limited research resources. Seeking more advanced facilities, Sherifi collaborated with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, a leading research institution in Germany. Their partnership, funded by Germany's Biosecurity Program, has focused on monitoring the spread of the Hyalomma tick and the virus. Petra Emmerich, a virologist and expert on Risk Group 4 viruses, joined the researchers in Kosovo in 2009, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and preventive measures. Farmers in Kosovo are particularly at risk, as they often handle animals and their blood, potentially leading to transmission through small wounds. The researchers have visited schools to educate students about the dangers of the virus and the importance of protective measures such as tick repellents and proper clothing. While not all Hyalomma ticks carry the virus, those that do pose a significant threat as there is no vaccine or specific treatment for those infected. The disease's symptoms, including flu-like fever and severe bleeding, often lead to organ failure and require intensive care. However, the number of serious cases in Kosovo has significantly decreased, from around 100 in the previous decade to just five in the past decade, indicating the effectiveness of their efforts. Despite this progress, the researchers expect the ticks and virus to spread further across Europe, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring and prevention.",
  "summary": "Germany has high-security labs while Kosovo has Hyalomma ticks and experience with the deadly Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Working together, German and Kosovar scientists are fighting the disease and its vectors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Germany, Kosovo unite against ticks carrying deadly virus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/germany-kosovo-unite-against-ticks-carrying-deadly-virus",
        "published": "2026-09-06T10:25:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}