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Viruses2025; 17(3); 387; doi: 10.3390/v17030387

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure in Wild and Domestic Animals in Benin.

Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic viral disease prevalent in Africa. While infection is asymptomatic in animals, it can cause severe illness with hemorrhagic manifestations and high mortality rates in humans. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of CCHF in wild (rodents, birds) and domestic (cattle, horses) animals in Benin. A cross-sectional study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 with the assistance of cattle breeders, hunters, farmers and bushmeat sellers in 15 districts found in three agroecological zones in the country. A total of 366 serum samples were analyzed, comprising 254 collected from wild animals and 112 from domestic animals. Among the wild animals tested, 1.18% (95% CI: 0.31-3.70; n = 3) were seropositive for antibodies against CCHF virus (CCHFV). The seroprevalence rates were 3.7% (95% CI: 0.19-20.89) in squirrels, 5.88% (95% CI: 0.31-30.76) in hares and 1.19% (95% CI: 0.06-7.38) in giant rats. In domestic animals, anti-CCHFV antibodies were detected in 38 of the 112 samples, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 33.93% (95% CI: 25.42-43.56). Specifically, antibodies were identified in 34 out of 81 cattle (41.98%, 95% CI: 31.26-53.46) and 4 out of 24 horses (16.67%, 95% CI: 5.48-38.19). No positive samples were reported in pigeons. This study provides the first seroprevalence data on CCHF in wild and domestic animals in Benin. It highlights the risk and epidemiological dynamics of the disease and underscores the need for further investigations into tick vectors and human populations.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-08 PubMed ID: 40143315PubMed Central: PMC11946281DOI: 10.3390/v17030387Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study aim was to establish the prevalence and risk factors for the spread of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in wild and domestic animals in Benin. They found 3 wild animals of the 254 tested and 38 domestic animals of the 112 tested had antibodies for CCHF. Their findings present first such data from Benin and call for further investigation especially towards tick vectors in human populations.

Objective of the Research

  • This research was conducted with the aim to understand the seroprevalence, or the measure of the presence of specific antibodies in serums, and potential risk factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) amongst wild and domestic animals in Benin. CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease that primarily affects animals but can cause severe illness in humans.

Research Conducted and Analysis

  • The researchers carried out a cross-sectional study from 2022 to 2024 across three agroecological zones and 15 districts in Benin. They were assisted by stakeholders including cattle breeders, hunters, farmers, and bushmeat sellers.
  • A total of 366 serum samples were analyzed – 254 from wild animals (such as rodents, birds) and 112 from domesticated animals (cattle and horses).
  • The study reveals that 1.18% of wild animals and 33.93% of domestic animals tested were found to have antibodies against the CCHF virus (CCHFV), indicating exposure to the virus.
  • In terms of specific animal species wise prevalence, antibodies were identified in 3.7% squirrels, 5.88% hares, and 1.19% giant rats tested. Among domestic animals, 41.98% of the cattle and 16.67% of the horses were found to carry anti-CCHFV antibodies. However, none of the tested pigeons were found with positive samples.

Significance of the Findings

  • This research provides the first seroprevalence data on CCHF in both wild and domestic animals in Benin.
  • The findings of the study help comprehend the risk and epidemiological dynamics of the disease in the region, thus, providing valuable information for future preventive measures.
  • The high seroprevalence in domestic animals and presence in wild animals point toward the need for further investigation particularly concerning tick vectors, which are the transmission agents of the virus, and potential exposure in human populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Yessinou RE, Farougou S, Olopade JO, Oluwayelu DO, Happi A, Happi C, Groschup M. (2025). Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Exposure in Wild and Domestic Animals in Benin. Viruses, 17(3), 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17030387

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
PII: 387

Researcher Affiliations

Yessinou, Roland Eric
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit, Department of Production and Animal Health, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi 229, Benin.
Farougou, Souaïbou
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit, Department of Production and Animal Health, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi 229, Benin.
Olopade, James Olukayode
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria.
Oluwayelu, Daniel Oladimeji
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria.
Happi, Anise
  • African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer's University, Oshogbo 232102, Nigeria.
Happi, Christian
  • African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer's University, Oshogbo 232102, Nigeria.
Groschup, Martin
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / veterinary
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / virology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Benin / epidemiology
  • Animals, Domestic / virology
  • Risk Factors
  • Animals, Wild / virology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / immunology
  • Cattle
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / virology
  • Birds / virology
  • Male
  • Ticks / virology
  • Female

Grant Funding

  • None / Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Gasparine M, Fokeng AN, Masse S, Lopez E, Charrel R, de Lamballerie X, Falchi A. Widespread circulation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in ticks, Corsica (France), 2024. One Health 2026 Jun;22:101339.
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  2. Miletic G, Coric I, Kovac S, Skrinjaric A, Kamber Taslaman M, Bozikovic M, Barbic L, Masovic V, Prpic J, Jemersic L, Stevanovic V. First Serological Evidence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infections in Croatia: A Multispecies Surveillance Approach Emphasising the Role of Sentinel Hosts. Viruses 2025 Sep 30;17(10).
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