Seroepidemiology of CCHF in domestic animals in endemic areas in Albania

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an arboviral zoonotic infection wich is endemic in some areas of the country. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of CCHFV in previous and recent endemic areas of the country. This crosssectional serologic study was conducted in period 2010- 2014 by the Institute of Public health in Tirana, Albania. The survey included 152 sera specimen of cattle which were randomly collected from seven districts in Albania over the period 2010-2014. All samples were collected randomly from seven districts in Albania and were examined for anti-CCHFV IgG. Of the total of 152 samples examined, 102 (67.1%) were positive to IgG ELISA. The highest positivity rate was among cows (88.3%) and in recent endemic areas of Has and Kukes, 89.7% and 82.9% respectively. In recent endemic areas humans can potentially contract the disease as compared to other areas of the country.