Background:
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the Nairovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family
and is transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma genus. It causes severe disease in humans with mortality rates between 3% and
30%. The first case in Iraq was reported in 1979; immediately thereafter, 10
cases were reported, resulting in seven deaths. Several cases were also
reported in 1980 in Halabja city in Iraq’s Sulaimani province. Methods: Blood
samples were collected from two study populations, human and cattle, including
butchers working at a slaughterhouse. Ticks were also collected for virus
detection from three villages in the Sharazoor district of Sulaimani province. Results:
Results of the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were
negative for all human and cattle sera. The tissue prepared from ticks also was
negative for CCHFV. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique
showed that 30 (46.87%) of 64 human sera were positive for the anti-CCHFV IgG
antibody. Conclusion: Results show that symptomatic Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic
fever (CCHF) is an uncommon disease in the Sulaimani province of Iraq and no
clinical cases is reported, due to the eradication of ticks implemented by
veterinary authorities. However, other preventive approaches and strategies
should be implemented and monitored regularly by local authorities.
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