Përparim Kadriaj1, Ekelejda Velo1, Gjergji Sino1 and Silvia Bino1
1 Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania.
Aim: The first cases in Albania of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever was identified in 1986. In Albania, cases with CCHF occur almost every year. The most endemic region is the northeast part of the country, such in Kukesi, Hasi and Tropoja. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an arboviral zoonotic infection which is endemic in some areas of the country. The aim of this etomological investigation was to assess the composition of tick species the prevalence of their distribution in endemic areas with a human case of CCHF. This entomological investigation was conducted in August 2019. by the Institute of Public health in Tirana, Albania.
Methods: Ticks were collected directly from the animals, and serum samples were collected from domesticanimals. Cows are examined using gloves for the presence of ticks in mammary glands, ears, and thighs. Protected white clothes are used during the field work, to avoid tick bite. Collected ticks were transported alive in the lab. Identification in species level is done, based on identification keys and taxonomic characters of (ICTTD), (Estrada Pena 2004).
Results: Six hundred and thirty-eight tickswere collected during 2019 from cattle in Tropoja (Zogaj) and Hasi (Helshan) districts. In total, four ticks species has been identified. Hyalommamarginatum (98%) was the predominant species collected and prevalent species in CCHF endemic areas, followed by Ixodesricinus (1.66%) Rhipicephalus bursa and Haemaphysalisparva (0.34%) which found very low prevalence. Cows were the main host for Hyalommamarginatum. A total of 54 serum samples were collected from domestic animals in 54 cows. During the site screening, a total of 94/471 cattle were screened, 20% the total of cattle in the endemic area investigated, 46.80% (44 cows) were infested with ticks. The infestation rate in animals resulted in an average of 20 ticks / cow, with a variation of 2-3 ticks / cow up to a maximum of 96 Hyalommmamarginatum / cow.
Conclusions: Hyalommamarginatum is abundant in CCHF endemic areas in Albania. The identification of geographical and seasonal distribution of ticks allows evaluating the risks and promptly implementing control measures for tick borne diseases.
Keywords: Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever, entomological investigation, vectors.