Tick Bites and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Golf Courses: Risks and Prevention

Golf courses, with their expansive green spaces and natural environments, can pose a risk for tick bites and the transmission of diseases like Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Especially during the warmer months, increased tick activity makes these areas a potential health hazard for golfers and staff.

Ticks and CCHF:

• Ticks and Habitats:

  • Ticks thrive in humid and grassy areas, particularly in tall grass, brush, and wooded regions. Golf courses provide ideal habitats for tick populations.

  • Ticks attach to humans and animals to feed on blood, potentially transmitting diseases like CCHF.

• What is CCHF?

  • CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease that can cause severe symptoms, including fever, bleeding, and organ failure.

  • The disease is prevalent in regions like Central Asia, Africa, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East, including Turkey.

• Transmission Routes:

  • Tick bites

  • Contact with infected animal or human blood and bodily fluids

  • Exposure to the virus in laboratory settings

• Symptoms:

  • High fever

  • Headache

  • Muscle aches

  • Vomiting

  • Bleeding (petechiae, ecchymoses)

  • Internal bleeding

Prevention and Management:

• Personal Protection:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when golfing or working on the course.

  • Tuck pant legs into socks.

  • Use tick repellent sprays containing DEET.

  • Conduct thorough tick checks after leaving the golf course.

• Tick Bite Management:

  • Remove ticks carefully with tweezers, grasping them close to the skin.

  • Pull the tick straight out without twisting or crushing it.

  • Clean the bite area with soap and water.

  • Seek medical attention if fever, headache, or other symptoms develop after a tick bite.

• Golf Course Management:

  • Maintain short grass and trim vegetation regularly.

  • Control brush and wooded areas.

  • Implement appropriate tick control measures.

  • Educate golfers and staff about tick bite prevention and CCHF.

Key Considerations:

• CCHF is a serious disease, and early diagnosis and treatment are vital.

• Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after a tick bite.

• It is very important to get educated about the risks of the CCHF virus.

Additional Considerations:

• Golf course managers should consider posting signage to alert golfers to the potential tick risks.

• Regular inspections of the golf course for tick populations can help to identify high-risk areas.

• Providing tick-removal tools and information to golfers can help to promote safe practices.