Seroepidemiological Survey of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Ruminants in Garissa, Kenya
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Date
2016Author
Nanyingi, Mark O
Muchemi, Gerald M
Thumbi, Samuel M
Ade, F
Onyango, Clayton O
Kiama, Stephen G
Bett, B
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by phlebovirus in the family
Bunyaviridae. In Kenya, major outbreaks occurred in 1997–1998 and 2006–2007 leading to human deaths, huge
economic losses because of livestock morbidity, mortality, and restrictions on livestock trade.
Aim: This study was conducted to determine RVF seroprevalence in cattle, sheep, and goats during an interepidemic
period in Garissa County in Kenya.
Methods: In July 2013, we performed a cross-sectional survey and sampled 370 ruminants from eight RVFprone
areas of Garissa County. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) antibodies were detected using a multispecies
competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mixed effect logistic regression models were used to determine
the association between RVF seropositivity and species, sex, age, and location of the animals.
Results: A total of 271 goats, 87 sheep, and 12 cattle were sampled and the overall immunoglobulin G
seroprevalence was 27.6% (95% CI [23–32.1]). Sheep, cattle, and goats had seroprevalences of 32.2% (95% CI
[20.6–31]), 33.3% (95% CI [6.7–60]), and 25.8% (95% CI [22.4–42]), respectively. Seropositivity in males was
31.8% (95% CI [22.2–31.8]), whereas that of females was 27% (95% CI [18.1–45.6]).
Conclusions: The high seroprevalence suggests RVFV circulation in domestic ruminants in Garissa and may be
indicative of a subclinal infection. These findings provide evidence of RVF disease status that will assist
decision-makers to flag areas of high risk of RVF outbreaks and prioritize the implementation of timely and
cost-effective vaccination programs.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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