Authors : S. Bokaie , E. Mostafavi , A.A. Haghdoost , H. Keyvanfar , M.M. Gooya , M. Meshkat , A. Davari and S. Chinikar
Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an arboviral zoonotic disease that is asymptomatic in infected animals, but a serious threat to humans. Humans become infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) either through bites of infected ticks, or by direct contact with virus contaminated tissues or blood of animals. CCHF now occurs sporadically throughout much of Africa, Asia, Europe and recent outbreaks of CCHF have occurred in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 1999, human clinical cases of CCHF have been reported from different parts of Iran. Although, most of human reports came from the Southeast of Iran, we analyzed samples from the Northeast provinces to check the geographical extension of CCHF. From October 2001 to the end of 2007, 10(15.9%) of 63 probable human patients confirmed to be infected with CCHFV using ELISA and RT-PCR tests in Khorasan region, Northeast of Iran, close to Afghanistan and Pakistan. No specific antibodies against other viral fevers such as Yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, Dengue 2 and Chikungunya were detected in the sera of these probable cases. During the years 2003 to 2005, of 448 livestock sera collected form different townships of this region, IgG antibodies were noted in 77.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72.5-82%) of 298 sheep samples and 46% (95% CI: 38.1-54.0%) of 150 goat samples. The frequency of infection was more or less equal in both sexes and was age dependent. Regardless whether CCHF is newly enzootic or has long established enzooticity, the potential exists for sporadic or clustered outbreaks of CCHF in humans, so persons in close contact with animals and also health care workers should be alarmed.
S. Bokaie , E. Mostafavi , A.A. Haghdoost , H. Keyvanfar , M.M. Gooya , M. Meshkat , A. Davari and S. Chinikar , 2008. Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Northeast of Iran. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 343-350.