Current status of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in tick vectors of Iran- Afghanistan borderline

Background and Objective: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most widespread, tick-borne zoonotic disease. The disease has been reported from all provinces of Iran and is endemic in many parts such as Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman and Qom. Hard ticks play an important role in the transmission of many arboviruses to human. Tick genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor are main vectors of CCHF virus. CCHF is endemic in Afghanistan which has common border with Sistan and Baluchestan and South Khorasan. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of CCHFV infection in hard ticks collected from livestock in eastern borderline of Iran.Materials and Methods: A total of ۹۰۴ livestock including ۴۵۲ sheep, ۳۹۴ goats, ۳۶ cows and ۲۲ camels in South Khorasan and Sistan were sampled. species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the CCHFV genome in ۲۰۰ out of ۸۶۵ ticks.Findings: RT-PCR results revealed that ۷ of the ۲۰۰ samples (۳.۵%) were positive for CCHFV infection. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Hyalomma were infected genera of ticks. All CCHFV-infected ticks were collected from sheep and goat and lowland areas A_۹۹_B۱۰۰_۲۱۵کدConclusion: Our Results determined that Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus were the main vectors of CCHFVin eastern border line of Iran. It is suggested that controlling and preventive policies regarding tick carriersin these areas should be pursued more seriously.

Keywords:

CCHF , Tick , RT-PCR , Iran