Seroprevalence of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever among health care workers in a hospital in an endemic region of Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) can also be transmitted through unprotected contact directly with blood or body fluids as well as from laboratories. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CCHF disease in the employees of the State Hospital of Yozgat Province, located in Central Anatolia of Turkey, and also to present the risk factors for healthcare workers.

Methodology: A total of 112 volunteer employees of Yozgat State Hospital were included in the study. The study volunteers were divided into two groups: one having had a contact with CCHF patients and patient’s samples and the other a non-contact group.

Results: In the contact group, 2 (2.9%) out of 67 subjects tested positive for anti-CCHF IgG; however, in the non-contact group, none of the subjects tested positive (Fisher's exact test p > 0.05). Of the two employees who tested positive, one was working at the microbiology laboratory and the other was from the emergency department.

Conclusion: Although cases of nosocomial transmission of CCHF have been reported previously, questions on the mode of transmission of the disease are still unanswered. The risk factors for the disease should, therefore, be identified in order to take the necessary measures.