(1) Background: Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick-borne disease
endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkan and Mediterranean regions
of Europe. Although no human CCHF cases have been reported, based on vector presence,
serological evidence among small vertebrates, and the general human population, Hungary
lies within high evidence consensus for potential CCHF introduction and future human
infection. Thus, the aim of our pilot serosurvey was to assess CCHF seropositivity
among cattle and sheep as indicator animals for virus circulation in the country.
(2) Methods: In total, 1905 serum samples taken from free-range cattle and sheep in
2017 were tested for the presence of anti-CCHF virus IgG antibodies using commercial
ELISA and commercial and in-house immunofluorescent assays. (3) Results: We found
a total of eleven reactive samples (0.58%) from five administrative districts of Hungary
comprising 8 cattle and 3 sheep. The most affected regions were the south–central
and northwestern parts of the country. (4) Conclusions: Based on these results, more
extended surveillance is advised, especially in the affected areas, and there should
be greater awareness among clinicians and other high-risk populations of the emerging
threat of CCHF in Hungary and Central Europe.
