Identifying the role that host species play in pathogen transmission and maintenance is crucial for disease
control, but it is a difficult task, in particular for vector-borne and multi-host pathogens, and especially when
wildlife species are involved. This is the case for a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) hotspot in
north-eastern Spain, where Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are involved, but their roles
in disease transmission are unclear. In this context, we studied the dynamics of CCHFV transmission in these two
species during the collapse of an Iberian ibex population due to a sarcoptic mange outbreak. We carried out a
repeated cross-sectional study measuring the trends of CCHFV seroprevalence in Iberian ibex and wild boar and
their abundances. In addition, we identified the tick species present in this area on the vegetation and on wild
boars, and evaluated relevant meteorological factors. Results show that while the trends in CCHFV seroprevalence in Iberian Ibex and density of wild boars remained constant (p = 1.0 and p = 0.8, respectively), both the
trends in Iberian ibex census and CCHFV seroprevalence in wild boars decreased significantly (p = 0.003 and p =
0.0001, respectively), and were correlated (Spearman's rank, 0.02 < p-adjusted<0.05). The correlation between
the patterns of reduction of Iberian ibex abundance and the decrease of seroprevalence in wild boars suggests
some sort of shared transmission cycle between the two species. Data from tick species in the area suggest a
possible role of Rhipicephalus bursa in CCHFV transmission. The dynamics of CCHFV were unlikely caused by
changes in meteorological variables such as temperature or water vapor pressure deficit. Further studies will be
needed to confirm these hypotheses.Laura Carrera-Faja was funded through the 2022 FI Scholarship, Departament de Recerca i Universitats, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain (FI_B 00723). The present study was funded by the Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica, Técnica y de Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Gobierno de España. Proyectos de generación de conocimiento: 2021-2023PID2021-126996OA-I00.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
