Prevalence of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus and Ganjam virus among livestock & ticks in Wayanad, Kerala

The Western Ghat region of Kerala has abundant flora and domestic and wild animal species that provide an ideal ecological niche for the ticks. Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV), a zoonotic tick-borne virus causing Haemorrhagic fever, commonly known as monkey fever is prevalent in the area. The tick infestations have been documented in the majority of household animals in Wayanad and risks are further amplified as the majority of the animals reared, graze in the adjoining forest areas and these animals are often housed in and around farmer’s dwellings. Therefore, the farmers are at high risk of contracting deadly tick-borne diseases, and surveillance in animals can act as an indicator of disease hotspots. Even though the tick-borne KFDV is endemic to the area, the surveillance data on other significant zoonotic tick-borne viruses such as CCHFV and GANV are scanty. Overall CCHFV seroprevalence of 2.33 was reported amongst livestock sampled. Species-wise percent seropositivity was 1.01 and 5.10 in cattle and goats, respectively. The study revealed the presence of ticks belonging to 3 genera viz. Rhipicephalus , Amblyomma , and Haemaphysalis . Despite the CCHFV seroprevalence, CCHFV and GANV could not be detected in ticks. Even though ticks were negative for the CCHFV genome, seroprevalence in adjoining taluks indicates the local virus circulation. Therefore serological as well as molecular investigation with a large number of samples collected at the peak of tick activity across the western ghat would help identify the potential hotspot for CCHFV.