Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications
Published on: June 29, 2020
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus-Specific Antibody Detection in Cattle in Mauritania
Miriam A Sas1, Marc Mertens1, Ekaterina Isselmou2
11 Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health , Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany .
Background:
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) was detected for the first time in Mauritania in 1983 and several CCHFV outbreaks were reported in the following years. The last human case was diagnosed in 2015. However, no recent data exist about the prevalence of CCHFV in animals, although it is already described that prevalence studies in animals serve as good risk indicators. CCHFV can cause a severe hemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate in humans. Therefore, a precise risk assessment on the basis of updated data is very important. This article gives an overview about the current CCHFV prevalence in cattle in Mauritania.
Methods And Findings:
A seroprevalence study was carried out using 495 cattle sera from Mauritania, which were collected in the year 2013. The sera were analyzed by an inhouse CCHFV-IgG-ELISA. As second screening test, an adapted commercial CCHFV-IgG-ELISA was performed. Inconclusive sera were additionally tested by a modified commercial CCHFV-IgG-IFA. All assays showed high diagnostic sensitivity (>95%) and specificity (>98%). The overall prevalence of CCHFV-specific antibodies found in Mauritanian cattle was 67%, ranging from 56% to 90% in different provinces.
Conclusion:
This study shows a very high CCHFV-specific antibody prevalence in cattle in Mauritania. It is the highest seroprevalence detected in Mauritania so far. This strengthens the hypothesis that CCHFV is a serious and ongoing threat for public health in Mauritania.
Insights
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) antibodies are highly prevalent in Mauritanian cattle, with 67% testing positive. This indicates CCHFV remains a significant public health risk in the region.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) was first detected in Mauritania in 1983, with outbreaks reported subsequently.
- The last human case was in 2015, but recent data on animal CCHFV prevalence is lacking.
- Animal prevalence studies are crucial risk indicators for CCHFV, a virus causing severe hemorrhagic fever with high human fatality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current prevalence of CCHFV in cattle in Mauritania.
- To provide updated data for a precise public health risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- A seroprevalence study was conducted on 495 cattle sera collected in Mauritania in 2013.
- Sera were tested using an in-house CCHFV-IgG-ELISA, followed by a commercial CCHFV-IgG-ELISA for screening.
- Inconclusive results were further analyzed with a modified commercial CCHFV-IgG-IFA.
Main Results:
- All assays demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity (>95%) and specificity (>98%).
- The overall prevalence of CCHFV-specific antibodies in Mauritanian cattle was 67%.
- Antibody prevalence varied across provinces, ranging from 56% to 90%.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a very high CCHFV-specific antibody prevalence in Mauritanian cattle.
- This represents the highest seroprevalence recorded in Mauritania to date.
- The findings reinforce the hypothesis that CCHFV poses a serious and ongoing threat to public health in Mauritania.
