Molecular detection of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever in tick vectors in rural areas of eastern Iran

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a deadly viral infection (mortality rate between 3 and 30%) reported from more than 30 countries. The disease is common between humans and animals and can be transmitted through tick bites, contact with blood and secretions or carcasses of infected animals and humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CCHF virus in ticks isolated from domestic livestock in rural areas of Birjand city in South Khorasan province. In this study, 390 livestock including 167 sheep, 205 goats, 9 cows and 9 camels were sampled in four villages (Nofarest, Hassanabad, Amirabad and Shaukatabad) of Birjand county. Eight species of hard ticks were identified, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus (21.9%), Hyalomma detritium (25%), Hyalomma marginatum (2.4%), Hyalomma anatolicum (0.8%), Hyalomma asiaticum (1.6%), Hyalomma dromedarii (43). %) And other Hyalomma (4.7%). The presence of virus was confirmed in 15.9% of the samples sent to the laboratory by reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). the virus was observed in: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma detritium and Hyalomma asiaticum. The most infected hosts were sheep and goats, and the ticks caught were all from lowland areas. The villages of this region can be considered endemic for CCHF. Therefore, it is recommended to follow controlling and monitoring policies in the region more carefully.