Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), is the most prevalent tick-borne viral infection of humans, occurring across a vast area from western China through southern Asia and the Middle East to south-eastern Europe and throughout most of Africa. The causative agent (Orthonairovirus; Nairoviridae), a negative-sense RNA virus, can be efficiently transmitted by common ticks of the Hyalomma spp., that also act as its reservoir. Hyalomma ticks infest a wide spectrum of different wildlife species, and free-ranging livestock animals. CCHF virus is also maintained through vertical and horizontal transmission cycle in several genera of Ixodes spp. ticks, which spread it to a variety of wild and domestic mammals. Human infections occur through the tick bite or the exposure to blood or body fluids of an infected animal or CCHF patient, since the virus can be isolated from serum or plasma during the febrile and viremic stage. CCHF shows a spectrum of severity, from a mild, nonspecific febrile syndrome through vascular leakage, that results from the damage of endothelial cells, then multiorgan failure, haemorrhages and shock. Specific antibodies are demonstrable by indirect immunofluorescence test or by IgG-sandwich and IgM-capture ELISA. Presently, no efficient treatment or vaccine is available and intense efforts are needed to develop successful countermeasures. Our article presents summary of 80 years of studies and current knowledge on diagnostic and adequate strategies against CCHF.