Serological Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Kukes and Has, Albania

Abstract

In Albania the first cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was identified in 1986. In Albania, cases with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever occur almost every year. The most endemic region is the northeast part of the country, such in Kukes and Has. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an arboviral zoonotic infection which is endemic in some areas of the country. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of CCHFV in previous and recent endemic areas of the country. This crosssectional serologic study was conducted in period 2010-2013-2014 by the Institute of Public Health in Tirana, Albania. The survey included 121 sera specimen of cattle which were randomly collected from two districts in Albania. All samples were collected from two districts in Albania and were examined for anti-CCHFV IgG. Of the total of 121 samples examined, 97 (75.7 percent) were positive to anti-IgG with ELISA test. The highest positivity rate was among cows (88.3 percent) and in recent endemic areas of Kukes and Has. In recent endemic areas humans can potentially contract the disease as compared to other areas of the country.