Retrospective Investigation of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Thi-Qar Province from Year 2022 to 2023.
2025
Ali Hmmod | Mohanad Abdulhameed | Aqeel Hussein | Nameer Khudhair | Basim AL-Adhadh
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease that poses significant threat to public health in Iraq. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of CCHF in humans, with a focus on occupational exposure, mortality rates, and temporal distribution. The retrospective analysis identified 290 confirmed cases reported between 2022 and 2023, with a total incidence case estimate of 13.5 per 100,000 individuals. The highest proportion was found among housewives (36%), followed by animal’s owners (21%) and animal’s sellers (16%). The mortality rate was estimated to be2.1 per 100,000 individuals, with a case fatality rate of 15.5%. The temporal analysis revealed a peak incidence in June 2022 (1.86 per 100,000 individuals) and May 2023 (1.53 per 100,000 individuals), highlighting seasonal patterns in disease transmission. The study concluded that CCHF is endemic disease in Thi-Qar province, and therefore, intervention programs are urgently needed to mitigate the risk of new cases. The suggested control program should include the application of acaricides to reduce tick infestations, the enforcement of regulations to prevent illegal animal slaughtering, and public awareness campaigns to improve the knowledge about the disease.
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