Back
CCHFV infection of humans can result in severe disease, and even death. While wild and domestic animals do not develop clinical signs, they serve as an important reservoir for the virus.
With the virus spreading to new regions every year, serological screening of livestock is therefore essential for disease control. The ID Screen® CCHF Double Antigen Multi-species ELISA has been proven to efficiently detect CCHFV antibodies in multiple species, including humans.
CCHF: a zoonotic disease now emerging in Europe
Over the last decades, cases of CCHFV infections in humans have been reported in several European countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Turkey, Greece and Spain.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the genus Nairovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. CCHFV is transmitted primarily by ticks (genus Hyalomma), which function as a disease vector and natural reservoir.
Numerous wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep and hares, serve as amplifying hosts for the virus. As animals do not develop clinical signs, CCHFV infections have no economic impact on livestock production. Infection of humans, however, can result in the development of severe disease and even death.
To decrease the probability of human infection, the identification of endemic areas is crucial for implementation of public health measures.
Identifying CCHFV-affected areas
Serological screening of ruminants allows CCHFV-affected areas to be identified, as antibody prevalence in animals is a good indicator of local virus circulation.
The ID Screen® CCHF Double Antigen Multi-species ELISA is the first and only multi-species ELISA for CCHFV antibody detection on the market.
It is designed to detect antibodies against the CCHFV in livestock in serum, plasma and blood filter paper samples. The test may also be used on human samples (research use only). High biocontainment facilities are not required, as the test is based on recombinant proteins.
As a new tool on the market for disease control, the test has generated significant interest from scientists around the world, and has been included in 40 recent publications demonstrating its:
- Successful use in the field in many countries, and for numerous species including sheep, goats, wild boars, dogs, and horses
- Excellent agreement with other serological techniques (VNT, PPRNT, IFA)
- High exclusivity
- Efficient detection in camelids
- Use on human samples with high specificity