A survey of the tick-borne disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in southern Algeria: First serological evidence in the dromedary camel population

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) Vol. 54; p. 101089
• Main Authors: Degui, Djilali, Hachid, Aissam, Derrar, Fawzi, Messahel, Nacer Eddine, Bia, Taha, Mockbel, Youcef, Trabelsi, Melissa Katia, Khardine, Ahmed Fayez, Bellout, Lydia, Benaissa, Mohammed Hocine, Leulmi, Hamza, Lafri, Mohamed, Khelef, Djamel, Kaidi, Rachid, Bouguedour, Rachid, Bitam, Idir, Hakem, Ahcéne, Lafri, Ismail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Algeria; Algeria - epidemiology; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Camels; Camelus - virology; CCHFV; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; ELISA; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - veterinary; Female; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo - immunology; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo - isolation & purification; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean - epidemiology; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean - veterinary; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean - virology; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Seroprevalence; Tick-Borne Diseases - epidemiology; Tick-Borne Diseases - veterinary; Tick-Borne Diseases - virology; Ticks - virology; Algeria; Algeria; Camels; CCHFV; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; ELISA; Seroprevalence
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101089

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonosis caused by a Nairovirus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Despite its wide geographical distribution, the epidemiology of CCHF in northern Africa is incompletely understood and its occurrence in Algeria is virtually unknown. The present survey aimed to determine the prevalence of CCHF antibodies and to identify the potential risk factors associated with CCHFV seropositivity among the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in southern Algeria. A total of 269 camels selected randomly from slaughterhouses in three wilayas were employed in the study. Sera sampled were tested for the presence of CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CCHFV seropositivity was recorded in 255 out of 269 camels accounting for a prevalence rate of 94.8% (95%CI = 92.14–97.45). The seroprevalence by origin was determined to be 97% (193/199) in imported camels and 86% (49/57) in local ones (p > 0.25). Tick presence (OR = 12.35, 95%CI = 1.41–107.43, p < 0.05) was recorded as the only potential risk factor for contracting CCHFV. This study shows for the first time that camels are exposed to CCHFV in Algeria with a significantly high seroprevalence. It also underlines the need for further research to investigate the broader extent of circulating CCHFV in the country, whether in humans, animals, or ticks.
•This is the first serological investigation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in dromedary camels in Algeria.•Camels are exposed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV).•High CCHFV seroprevalence in both local and imported camels.•CCHFV may be more broadly distributed in northern Africa than previously thought.•Data from this study calls for more research to better understand the CCHF situation in Algeria.