Seroepidemiological study of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Wasit governorate, Iraq 2024: a preliminary assessment

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a serious disease that leads to severe symptoms in humans and animals. The fact that Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is asymptomatic in animals poses a danger. In the last few years, there has been an increase in the incidence of CCHF in humans, with a high mortality rate in Iraq. The current study was conducted to address CCHF in cattle in the Wasit governorate, Central Iraq. The study includes an investigation into the presence of antibodies for the CCHFV in sheep and goats using the CCHF Double Antigen Multi-Species-CCHFDA ELISA kit to determine the existence of IgG antibodies against the CCHFV, as well as their correlation with the species, age, and sex of the animals. One hundred ninety-six serum samples were collected from private farms and distributed in different Wasit Governorate areas, including 104 sheep and 92 goats. The results showed an overall seroprevalence rate of 35.6% in sheep and 39.1% in goats. This indicates a severe warning and a likelihood of a rapid increase to spread to other areas, which directly impacts public health. Therefore, we recommend conducting further studies to investigate this disease more comprehensively. This will enhance our understanding of its nature and aid in the development of specialized programs for tick control. These would include the use of repellents and acaricides, implementation of environmental management systems, application of tick control measures in animal pens, adoption of biological control methods, and organizing awareness. Training programs for breeders are essential to enhance their knowledge and practices in tick prevention and management to limit and control its spread.