Master’s Thesis Defense – College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology

A Master’s thesis titled “Serological and Molecular Detection of Crimean‑Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ruminants and Ticks” by the student Ahmed Imad Mohammed, supervised by Prof. Safwan Yousif Mahmoud, was defended on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The examination committee consisted of:

1. Prof. Ammar Mahmoud Ahmed (College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Mosul) – Chair
2. Prof. Zaid Khalaf Khidr (College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences – University of Sulaimani) – Member
3. Prof. Saddam Dhahir Hassan (College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Mosul) – Member
4. Prof. Safwan Yousif Mahmoud (College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Mosul) – Member and Supervisor

A total of 400 ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) from various regions of Nineveh Governorate were examined. Animals infested with ticks were selected for inclusion in the study. An ELISA diagnostic kit specifically designed to detect antibodies against Crimean‑Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) was used, followed by molecular assays to detect viral nucleic acid.

Serological testing revealed the presence of specific antibodies to CCHFV in the sera of cattle, sheep, and goats. Positive samples were then subjected to molecular detection and sequencing. The sequencing results identified two viral strains registered in GenBank under accession numbers PZ204729 and PZ204730, showing high similarity to strains previously isolated in Egypt and South Africa.

After the student confidently and scientifically defended his thesis, and following the committee’s deliberation, the thesis was accepted.

Congratulations to the researcher, the supervisor, the College, and the Department of Microbiology on this scientific achievement. This defense contributes to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.