Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Monitoring of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Vector Ticks in Endemic Regions of Kazakhstan (2022-2024)

12^th International Conference on Infectious Diseases, Bacteriology and Antibiotics

May 23, 2025 | Webinar

Ms. Kuatbekova Saltanat

Research Scientist, Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology LLP (AB NCB) in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe viral disease characterized by fever, systemic toxicity, and hemorrhagic manifestations. The causative agent is an RNA virus of the Bunyaviridae family. Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, and Turkestan regions of Kazakhstan are endemic for CCHF, with 24 clinical cases registered in 2024, and even more (40 cases) in 2023. The main vectors are ticks of the genus Hyalomma. The objective of this study was to monitor the epidemiological situation and to investigate tick species carrying CCHF virus in both endemic and non-endemic regions of Kazakhstan. Ticks collected from livestock and vegetation between 2022-2024 were individually washed, homogenized and RNA was extracted using Magnosorb kit (AmpliSens). RNA samples were grouped into pools (10 samples in 1 pool) The CCHF virus was detected by real-time RT-PCR using TaqMan Fast Virus 1-Step Master Mix (Thermo Fisher) as described by D’Addiego et al. (2023). A total of 5,735 ticks representing nine species were examined: Dermacentor reticulatus (1,090), D. marginatus (1,438), D. niveus (502), Rhipicephalus pumilio (161), R. turanicus (12), Ixodes persulcatus (59), Hyalomma asiaticum (277), H. scupense (783), H. punctata (12), and H. turanicum (2). Ticks were collected in 12 oblasts of Kazakhstan: Akmola, Almaty, Zhambyl, Kostanay, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, Turkestan, including Shymkent, North Kazakhstan region, East Kazakhstan region, Abay and Jetisu. RNA samples positive for CCHF virus were detected in H. scupense ticks from six districts in the Turkestan region: Sauran (5), Tolebi (4), Zhetysay (30), Maktaaral (5), Ordabasy (1), and Turkestan city (10), with an overall prevalence of 5.3% (55/1043; 95% CI: 4.0-6.8). The highest CCHF prevalence was detected in the Zhetysay district, Turkestan region. Our findings highlight the areas at risk for CCHF transmission in Kazakhstan. Continued surveillance and enhanced vector control are essential for prevention and early detection of the disease.

Biography :

Saltanat Kuatbekova is a specialist in veterinary medicine, with expertise in the diagnosis and surveilliance of infectious diseases. She has been actively involved in monitoring aimed at identifying and studying infectious agents, and is also involved in the development of new test systems for the diagnosis of diseases. She also conducted research on various infectious diseases, including Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever, bluetongue, viral diarrhea, and tick-borne encephalitis. She is trained in biosafety rules, has relevant laboratory experience working with pathogens, and is trained annually.