Seroepidemiological Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Among Livestock in Southern Iran, Jahrom, 2015-2016

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) can efficiently replicate in livestock without causing recognizable clinical symptoms. In this regard, epidemiological studies would be necessary to determine the status of the disease and its risk factors in different geographical areas. This study was designed to evaluate the seroepidemiological situation of CCHF among livestock of Jahrom city in Fars province. Between 2015 and 2016, 240 livestock serum samples investigated for the presence of anti-CCHF IgG using ELISA assay. Forty-three (17.9%) samples were positive for CCHF virus IgG antibody. The highest seropositivity rate was observed among goats (69.8%). In addition, the highest infection rate was observed among animal older than 5 years. The results of this study indicate that the rate of CCHF in livestock from Jahrom city is lower than other parts suggesting that the risk of human transmission is low in this region. However, further research with bigger sample size is recommended to provide exhaustive information on CCHF circulation in this area.