SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF CRIMEAN-CONGO HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN RURAL COMMUNITY OF BASRAH

Abstract

ABSTRACT A seroepidemiologic survey of Crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was carried out on rural community of Basrah, southern Iraq from November 1st 1996 through June 1st 1997. A total of 682 serum samples were obtained from apparently healthy individuals with their age range from 5 to 76 years and nearly 20% of these sera were obtained from occupational risk group (veterinarian, abattoir workers, and farmers). Serum samples from domestic animals were collected from areas where CCHF cases were recognized. A total of 74 sheeps and 48 cattle sera were collected parallel to the collection of 42 tick’s pools from these animals. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of antibody against CCHF virus in human and animal sera. The prevalence of IgG antibody to CCHF in residents of rural community of Basrah was 4.3% indicating that CCHF virus is circulating below the endemic level. Seropositivity to CCHF in northern Basrah inhabitants was 9.7% while seropositivity in animals was observed in 20% of sheeps and 37% of cattles in this area. Ticks identification revealed that 100% of the identified ticks from northern Basrah were adult ticks of Hyaloma marginatum. The ecologic and economic characteristics of the area are the major variables that assisting the existence of enzootic focus for CCHF virus in northern Basrah.