Serosurveillance of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibodies in livestock as a reservoir for human infection in Afghanistan

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic tick-borne viral infection causing hemorrhages and fever in humans. Infected livestock typically do not display clinical signs. The current study was performed to investigate the CCHF virus IgG antibody seroprevalence and to analyze the risk factors related to its prevalence in ruminants from southern (Kandahar), western (Herat) and northern (Balkh) zones of Afghanistan. Seroprevalence was assessed using the double antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DA ELISA) method. Metadata with risk factors was obtained to accompany 1152 blood samples from cattle, sheep, and goats. Based on the ELISA sample to positive control ratio (S/P% value), the animals were considered seropositive for CCHF virus IgG antibody. The cattle (21.9 %) had significantly (<i>p</i> <i><</i> 0.001) higher within-species seroprevalence than goats (10.6 %), and sheep (5.2 %). Female (16.66 %), older (19.27 %), exotic (20.93 %), tick positive (17.70 %), and communally grazed (21.42 %) animals had the highest seropositivity of CCHF virus IgG antibody. This study describes the situation in a region where CCHF is a serious public health concern. The results highlight opportunities to reduce the incidence of human CCHF by implementing livestock management practices.