SEROMONITORING OF CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN FARM ANIMALS

Abstract

The article presents data from serological studies of blood sera of farm animals for the presence of antibodies to the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF). In 2022, 590 small cattle blood sera collected in 4 regions were examined, and in 2023, 1004 small cattle sera and 1090 cattle sera from 15 regions of Kazakhstan. As a result of the studies, it was established that the seroprevalence of CCHF virus among cattle in 2023 was 5.32%. Seropositive cattle were detected in 6 (Atyrau (9.38%), Kyzylorda (57.5%), Zhambyl (40%), Turkestan (78.58%), Almaty (4.77%), West Kazakhstan (1, 93%) from 15 studied regions. Seropositive sheep were detected in 4 regions in 2022 and in 5 out of 15 studied regions in 2023. The presence of antibodies to the CCHF virus was detected in 2022 in West Kazakhstan (4.5%), Turkestan (11 .3%), Zhambyl (30.9%) and Kyzylorda (44.3%) regions, and 2023 in West Kazakhstan (6.9%), Turkestan (14.52%), Zhambyl (15%), Kyzylorda (70%) and North Kazakhstan (12.1%) regions. The results of our research show that the distribution area of CCHF has expanded significantly. Based on the data obtained, we can conclude that two endemic regions for CCHF have formed on the territory of Kazakhstan: the southern endemic region, including Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Almaty regions, as well as the western endemic region, including West Kazakhstan and Atyrau regions. Given the constant movement of wild and farm animals within the country, there is a high risk of CCHF spreading from endemic regions to free regions. To confirm these data, it is necessary to conduct constant monitoring of farm animals, ticks, and other blood-sucking carriers of this virus.