Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Outbreak in Iraq During 2021

Background and Aim: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral infection transmitted by ticks.It is classified as a biosafety level (4) global pathogen with fatality rate of approximately 50%.This epidemiological survey aimed to explore the CCHF infection rate in Iraq during 2021.Materials and Methods: Saved samples from May to December 2021 (61 samples) collected from the suspected patients who attended health departments in eight Iraqi governorates (Dhi Qar, Baghdad, Nineveh, Babel, Erbil, Diyala, Anbar and Muthanna) were examined.Molecular detection of CCHF viral RNA was performed via real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR).The results were analyzed by GraphPad Prism and SPSS software.Results: CCHF was detected in 18 (29.5%)suspected samples.The epidemiological investigation documented 8 (44.44%) fatalities among the individuals who tested positive.Most diagnosed cases and deaths were in the age group 40 years, and the highest percentage of positive cases of CCHF infection (14, 77.8%) was detected in Dhi Qar with highly significant statistical difference (P<0.01)compared to other provinces. Conclusion:Although the number of cases studied is relatively small and may not represent the broader situation of CCHF in Iraq, it can be considered a health concern in the region.Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct epidemiological surveys to reduce the disease incidence and detect the extent of the spread of ticks that transmit the virus.