Crimean--Congo hemorrhagic fever: a molecular survey on hard ticks (Ixodidae) in Yazd province, Iran

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the rate of Crimean--Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection in hard ticks (Ixodidae) in Yazd province of Iran.@*METHODS@#A molecular survey on hard ticks (Ixodidae) was conducted in Yazd province during 2008-2009. A total of 140 hard ticks (three genera and 7 species) were collected from randomly selected villages and were exanimate for presence of CCHFV reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.@*RESULTS@#CCHFV genome was found in 5.71% of hard ticks. All positive ticks were from Hyalomma genus. Positive ticks including Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma asiaticum. We were not able to find virus in in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor marginatus. Results exhibited that Hyalomma is the main vector in the study area.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Due to the presence of virus in 24 provinces' out of 31, we recommend the use of acaricides and repellent to prevent disease transmission among humans. Greta care should be taken by the people who are working in slaughter houses.