Epidemiological analysis and potential factors affecting the 2022-23 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Iraq

Article Article scientifique Article Epidemiological analysis and potential factors affecting the 2022-23 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Iraq eng 2025-01-01 author Kodama Chiori 0000-0003-3434-5448 World Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, Cairo, Egypt.,Global Health Institute, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 418490 author Alhilfi Riyadh Abdulameer Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. author Aakef Ihab Communicable Disease Control Center, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. author Khamasi Adnan World Health Organization, Country Office for Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq. author Mahdi Sinan Communicable Disease Control Center, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. author Hasan Hameeda Mohammed Communicable Disease Control Center, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. author Khaleel Raghad Ibrahim Central Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. author Naji Mazin Mahdi Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad, Iraq. author Esmaeel Noor Khalid Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad, Iraq. author Haji-Jama Sundus World Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, Cairo, Egypt. author Legand Anais World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. author Keiser Olivia 0000-0001-8191-2789 Global Health Institute, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 873427 Institut de santé globale (COSPR) author Eckerle Isabella Anne Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals of Geneva and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 894639 Département de médecine (DEMED) author Formenty Pierre B H World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. i6-i13 10.1093/eurpub/ckae147 39801332 1101-1262 PMC11725957 https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/35/Supplement_1/i6/7951903 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute tick-borne disease with a case fatality rate of up to 40% in humans, posing a significant health threat. This study investigates the 2022-23 CCHF outbreaks in Iraq, the highest recorded to date, and analyzes potential factors at the human-animal-environmental interface. Data from the Iraqi government, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank were used to analyze CCHF trends and affecting factors. This included epidemiological reports, clinical data, tick infestation and seroprevalence studies, and climate data. Descriptive and statistical analyses examined case trends, geographic and demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, risk factors, seasonal patterns, and influencing factors. A sudden rise in CCHF cases began in southern Iraq in April 2022 and expanded across all governorates, with a shift toward urban areas. Higher incidence was observed among males, aged 25-44, and those involved in slaughtering. The most common clinical manifestation was fever (97%), followed by hemorrhagic symptoms (54%). Bleeding from the gums or mouth and subcutaneous bleeding were more frequent in patients with fatal outcomes. Seasonal patterns showed peaks during spring and fall, correlating with tick activity and potentially exacerbated by climate change. Tick infestation and seroprevalence studies indicated a high prevalence of Hyalomma ticks and CCHF seropositivity among domestic animals in southern Iraq (60%), consistent with the distribution of CCHF human cases. Iraq's ongoing CCHF outbreak demands multidisciplinary One Health strategies. The Iraqi government has adopted such a control strategy, contributing to regional and global efforts to enhance pandemic preparedness. Humans Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / epidemiology Iraq / epidemiology Male Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data Female Adult Animals Middle Aged Risk Factors Seroepidemiologic Studies Adolescent Seasons Young Adult Child Incidence Ticks Child, Preschool Dewey 613 Dewey 616 66 Institut de santé globale 22A1 56 Département de médecine 221 false 1246 Maladies infectieuses et modèles mathématiques 988 1255 Virus émergents 993 European journal of public health 35 Suppl. 1 6d5179e1-99cd-4df9-9133-1358e9ae7a73 Article (Published version) Public Article_scientifique_from_europePmc.pdf 964461 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 82e6f89c5082822b01816562929e6889845246f9e1f6ba768f77b0a79940c07e 6e61c6b0-4448-4c76-8924-fbc21c221cc0 Appendix Public ckae147_supplementary_data.pdf 492721 application/pdf f6dea6381af19ed795922dbe6a74fe4046ac220027210cbb1e2f92c57a604e5e openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires / Institut de santé globale Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de médecine

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Epidemiological analysis and potential factors affecting the 2022-23 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Iraq	European journal of public health			2025	14	175

Archive ouverte UNIGE

Kodama, Chiori