Serological evidence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever viral infection among camels imported into Egypt

A serosurvey was conducted during 1986-87 to determine evidence of prior Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viral infection among camels imported into Egypt from Sudan and Kenya. Sera obtained from camels arriving at the Aswan quarantaine station, southern Egypt, were tested for CCHF antibody by the agar gel diffusion (AGD) and the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques. CCHF viral antibody was demonstrated in 14% (600/4301) of the camels, with both techniques yielding similar results. CCHF viral antibody prevalence among camels imported from Sudan was lower (12%) than among camels imported from Kenya (26%). Ganjam and Qalyub viral antibody was not detected among the 600 CCHF viral antibody positive sera, but 7% (44/600) were positive for Dugbe viral antibody. CCHF viral antibody was not demonstrated in 400 sheep and 200 cows of native animals. These data indicate that camels imported from Sudan and Kenya had previous CCHF viral infection, but evidence of transmission to animals of Egypt was not obtained. Further studies are needed to assess the possible role of imported animals in the ecology and epidemiology of CCHF virus in Egypt.