Poster communication in EOHA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. International One Health Congress

May 18^th, 2026

Garcia N., Bartolome A., Gonzalez S., Martinez I., Iriso A., Lara J., Ayllon T. and Navarro A.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), caused by an RNA virus is a widely distributed disease transmitted mainly by Hyalomma spp. ticks. Although infected animals remain asymptomatic, they develop a transient viremia capable of infecting feeding ticks, thereby contributing to viral maintenance in nature. Serological surveys worldwide have detected CCHFV antibodies in numerous wild species, with ungulates showing the highest seroprevalence. Thus, wildlife plays a key epidemiological role and represents an indirect risk to human health. In Spain, CCHF is considered an emerging zoonosis, with 20 confirmed human cases and six fatalities reported since 2013. In this context, continuous epidemiological surveillance is essential to understand viral circulation and assess potential public health risks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate CCHFV circulation in wild ungulates including Iberian ibex, red deer, fallow deer, wild boar, and roe deer-in the Community of Madrid between 2022 and 2025.Antibodies against CCHFV were analyzed in a total of 162 liver exudate samples using a commercial ELISA (IDvet, France). Statistical analyses were performed using WINPEPI version 11.65 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0.2.0.Of the 162 samples analyzed, 49.3% (95% CI: 41.3-57.3) tested positive. All animal species showed at least one seropositive individual, with prevalence ranging from 31.2% (95% CI: 14.1–55.6) to 76% (95% CI: 56.6–88.5), the latter observed in fallow deer, which showed significantly higher values. Significant differences were detected between years (p = 0.013), including a marked decrease in 2025 (p = 0.006). Seroprevalence also varied significantly among sampling locations.These findings confirm active CCHFV circulation in wild ungulates in the Community of Madrid, with fallow deer showing the highest exposure. The heterogeneous distribution observed suggests localized endemic areas and highlights the importance of ongoing wildlife surveillance to better assess the potential risk to human health

	Servicio de Zoonosis Emergentes, de Baja Prevalencia y Agresivos Biológicos (NED). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Dirección General de Salud Pública. Consejería de Sanidad. Comunidad de Madrid.
	Centro de Recuperación de Animales Silvestres Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (CRAS). Comunidad de Madrid.