Distribution of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in ticks of the Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan based on PCR surveillance data in ۲۰۲۵

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a natural focal zoonotic infection of high epidemiological significance for the southern regions of Kazakhstan. This study aimed to detect Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) RNA in ixodid ticks collected in the Turkestan region in spring ۲۰۲۵ using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A total of ۴۶۸ ticks were examined and grouped into ۹۶ pools according to species and collection site. CCHFV RNA was detected in four pools: three pools of Hyalomma asiaticum collected from small ruminants in the Sozak district and one pool of Hyalomma scupense collected from cattle in the Maktaaral district. The minimum infection rate (MIR) was ۸.۵۵ per ۱,۰۰۰ examined ticks (equivalent to ۰.۸۵۵%), indicating the activity of natural CCHFV foci in the surveyed locations with a relatively low intensity of virus circulation. Ticks of the genus Hyalomma predominated, accounting for ۷۸.۰% of all collected specimens, which is consistent with their leading role in the maintenance and transmission of CCHFV in endemic regions. The obtained results highlight the necessity of regular entomological and molecular surveillance within the One Health framework for early risk assessment and evidence-based planning of preventive measures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus ، CCHFV ، Ixodid ticks ، Hyalomma ، Real-time PCR ، Turkestan region ، Kazakhstan ، Natural foci ، Minimum Infection Rate (MIR)