Hotspot of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Seropositivity in Wildlife, Northeastern Spain

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Sep;27(9):2480-2484. doi: 10.3201/eid2709.211105.

Abstract

We conducted a serosurvey for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibodies in various wildlife species in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. We detected high seroprevalence in southern Catalonia, close to the Ebro Delta wetland, a key stopover for birds migrating from Africa. Our findings could indicate that competent virus vectors are present in the region.

Keywords: CCHF; CCHFV; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; Ixodidae; Spain; emerging infectious diseases; tickborne disease; ticks; vector-borne infections; viruses; wild animals; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean* / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean* / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology