A Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks of Shahr-e Ray, Iran, 2016-2017

Introduction: CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tickborne viral zoonosis with a considerable fatality rate. The virus is mainly transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected hard ticks belonging to the genus Hyalomma. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CCHFV in ticks in Shahre Ray city, one of the meat supplier counties in Tehran Province, Iran. Methods: A molecular survey was carried out on collected ticks from sheep in slaughterhouses and husbandries of Shahre Ray city, during 201617. The ticks were identified using taxonomic characteristics, and the presence of CCHF virus RNA was investigated using an RTPCR amplifying a 536 bp of the small segment of the viral genome. Results: The results of this study showed that the Hyalomma ticks were the dominant species in Shahre Ray slaughterhouses and husbandries. In none of the assayed ticks, RTPCR detected CCHFV RNA. Conclusion: A considerable tick infestation with members of genus Hyalomma, among sheep in Shahre Ray slaughterhouses and husbandries, indicates the vulnerability of this county of tickborne infections outbreaks such as CCHF. Therefore, applying acaricides and other preventive strategies should be adopted to control the tick population in Shahre Ray.