Seroprevalence of Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Cattle in Basrah Province, Iraq

There is need to knowledge geographic distribution of CRIMEAN–CONGO HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER virus (CCHV) in Iraqi cities so this study take place in different region in Basrah to detect viral antibodies. Specific serological indirect ELISA using to determined IgG antibodies against CCHF virus. Blood samples were collected from large ruminants from buffalo, cows, and calves starting from June to the end of September 2023. Results showed presence of IGg antibodies were found at a rate of 42.44% from 172 cattle (73) positive. Titers of IGg was high among females compare male and highly antibody recorded in older animals 2-3 years compare with less than 2 years. According to the regions Abo-alkaseeb has been highly infected animals out of 57cases 33(64.7%) positive. Samples of hard and soft ticks were collected from Basrah governorate, were classified to the family Ixodidae ticks include three species, including: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma anatolicum and Hyalomma truncatum. The widespread type is the Hyalomma type. The presence of the virus has been found in animals in which there are more ticks than in animals that are tick-free. These results suggest that is (CCHV) widespread in the cattle populations southern of Iraq.