Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence

Introduction: The Turkestan region is an endemic zone for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Kazakhstan. Studying the influence of tick population depending on the place of its habitat and species on the spread of CHF among humans will alow to optimizate tick control programs in the region.Ai...

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Main Authors: PhD Irina Lizinfeld, Prof Natalia Pshenichnaya, Prof Gulzhan Abuova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122400612X
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author PhD Irina Lizinfeld
Prof Natalia Pshenichnaya
Prof Gulzhan Abuova
author_facet PhD Irina Lizinfeld
Prof Natalia Pshenichnaya
Prof Gulzhan Abuova
author_sort PhD Irina Lizinfeld
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The Turkestan region is an endemic zone for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Kazakhstan. Studying the influence of tick population depending on the place of its habitat and species on the spread of CHF among humans will alow to optimizate tick control programs in the region.Aim to examine the role and influence of ticks on the spread of CCHF among humans in the Turkestan region. Methods: Reports on tick prevalence and the CCHF incidence rate were provided by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan's Committee on Sanitary and Epidemiological Control from 2011 to 2022. Correlation analysis and linear regression were used to establish dependencies between indicators. Results: The distribution of Ixodid ticks in different habitats was as follows: populated areas: 2.05%; animals: 78.2%; agricultural land: 18.04%; and foci: 1.73%. The percentage of positive ticks was 3.88% of the total.Out of the total positive analyses, 0.53% of ticks were identified in populated areas, 94.74% positive samples were from animals, 1.05% were associated with fields, and 3.68% were obtained from ticks in foci. The high percentage of positive samples from animals emphasizes their crucial role in the cycle of virus transmission by Ixodid ticks. The predominant tick species in the Turkestan region are H. Asiaticum (21.9%) and H. Anatolicum (21.4%). Analysis of positive tick results showed that H. Anatolicum, at 22,63%, is the main vector of CCHF virus among ticks.Subsequent correlation analysis revealed no statistical correlation (ρ = 0.226, p = 0.379) between CCHF cases and the number of tick bites. However, a notable positive correlation was found between CCHF cases and the number of samples examined (ρ = 0.663, p = 0.014), as well as a high positive correlation between CCHF cases and the number of positive samples (ρ = 0.870, p < 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression indicate a statistically significant relationship: an increase in positive tests by 1 is expected to result in a 0.110 increase in CCHF. The model demonstrated statistical significance (p < 0.007), reflecting 86.7% of the CCHF case variance explained by the considered factors. Discussion: The spread of ixodid ticks in different environments emphasises the need for careful monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures, especially in rural areas. The identification of the role of H. Anatolicum in transmission of CCHF virus provides a basis for establishing effective tick control programmes to reduce the risk of transmission. Conclusions: Overall, the results of the study highlight the importance of tick population monitoring and control, preventive measures and educational campaigns for the population, and the need for a systematic and integrated approach to controlling the spread of CCHF in the Turkestan region.
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spelling doaj-art-b626cba67e434a5a8bdf6e4e3051f6132025-08-20T02:17:05ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases1201-97122025-03-0115210753710.1016/j.ijid.2024.107537Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidencePhD Irina Lizinfeld0Prof Natalia Pshenichnaya1Prof Gulzhan Abuova2Central Research Institute of Epidemiology; National Medical Research Center of Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious DiseasesCentral Research Institute of EpidemiologySouth Kazakhstan Medical AcademyIntroduction: The Turkestan region is an endemic zone for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Kazakhstan. Studying the influence of tick population depending on the place of its habitat and species on the spread of CHF among humans will alow to optimizate tick control programs in the region.Aim to examine the role and influence of ticks on the spread of CCHF among humans in the Turkestan region. Methods: Reports on tick prevalence and the CCHF incidence rate were provided by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan's Committee on Sanitary and Epidemiological Control from 2011 to 2022. Correlation analysis and linear regression were used to establish dependencies between indicators. Results: The distribution of Ixodid ticks in different habitats was as follows: populated areas: 2.05%; animals: 78.2%; agricultural land: 18.04%; and foci: 1.73%. The percentage of positive ticks was 3.88% of the total.Out of the total positive analyses, 0.53% of ticks were identified in populated areas, 94.74% positive samples were from animals, 1.05% were associated with fields, and 3.68% were obtained from ticks in foci. The high percentage of positive samples from animals emphasizes their crucial role in the cycle of virus transmission by Ixodid ticks. The predominant tick species in the Turkestan region are H. Asiaticum (21.9%) and H. Anatolicum (21.4%). Analysis of positive tick results showed that H. Anatolicum, at 22,63%, is the main vector of CCHF virus among ticks.Subsequent correlation analysis revealed no statistical correlation (ρ = 0.226, p = 0.379) between CCHF cases and the number of tick bites. However, a notable positive correlation was found between CCHF cases and the number of samples examined (ρ = 0.663, p = 0.014), as well as a high positive correlation between CCHF cases and the number of positive samples (ρ = 0.870, p < 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression indicate a statistically significant relationship: an increase in positive tests by 1 is expected to result in a 0.110 increase in CCHF. The model demonstrated statistical significance (p < 0.007), reflecting 86.7% of the CCHF case variance explained by the considered factors. Discussion: The spread of ixodid ticks in different environments emphasises the need for careful monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures, especially in rural areas. The identification of the role of H. Anatolicum in transmission of CCHF virus provides a basis for establishing effective tick control programmes to reduce the risk of transmission. Conclusions: Overall, the results of the study highlight the importance of tick population monitoring and control, preventive measures and educational campaigns for the population, and the need for a systematic and integrated approach to controlling the spread of CCHF in the Turkestan region.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122400612X
spellingShingle PhD Irina Lizinfeld
Prof Natalia Pshenichnaya
Prof Gulzhan Abuova
Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
title Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
title_full Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
title_fullStr Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
title_full_unstemmed Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
title_short Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan: key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
title_sort crimean congo hemorrhagic fever in the turkestan region of kazakhstan key role of ticks in the dynamics of incidence
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122400612X
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AT profnataliapshenichnaya crimeancongohemorrhagicfeverintheturkestanregionofkazakhstankeyroleofticksinthedynamicsofincidence
AT profgulzhanabuova crimeancongohemorrhagicfeverintheturkestanregionofkazakhstankeyroleofticksinthedynamicsofincidence