Prevalence of antibodies against Rift Valley fever virus in Kenyan wildlife

Evans, Alina L.; Gakuya, Francis; Pawęska, Janusz T.; Rostal, Melinda K.; Akoolo, Lavoisier; Vuren, Petrus Jansen van; Manyibe, T.; Macharia, Joseph M.; Ksiazek, Thomas G.; Feikin, Daniel R.; Breiman, Robert F.; Njenga, M. Kariuki

doi:10.1017/s0950268807009806

Cited by 147 publications

(153 citation statements)

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“…A high seroprevalence in buffaloes has been demonstrated by many researchers mainly in sub-Saharan Africa especially in South Africa [59,60] and Kenya [61]. In our study, seroprevalence was also high.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

High seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus in domestic ruminants and African Buffaloes in Mozambique shows need for intensified surveillance

Moiane

Mapaco

Thompson

et al. 2017

Infection Ecology & Epidemiology

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Introduction: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arthropod-borne disease that affects both animals and humans. RVF phlebovirus (RVFPV) is widespread in Africa and Arabian Peninsula. In Mozambique, outbreaks were reported in South; seroprevalence studies performed in livestock and water buffaloes were limited to central and south regions. We evaluated the seroprevalence of RVFPV among domestic ruminants and African buffaloes from 7 of 10 provinces of Mozambique, to understand the distribution of RVFPV and provide data for further RVF control programs. Materials and methods: A total of 1581 blood samples were collected in cattle, 1117 in goats, 85 in sheep and 69 in African buffaloes, between 2013 and 2014, and the obtained sera were analyzed by ELISA. Results and discussion: The overall seroprevalence of RVFPV domestic ruminants and African buffaloes was 25.6%. The highest was observed in cattle (37.3%) and African buffaloes (30.4%), which were higher than in previous studies within Mozambique. In south and central regions, the overall seroprevalences were higher (14.9%–62.4%) than in the north. Conclusion: This study showed the presence of anti-RVFPV antibodies in animals from all sampled provinces, suggesting that RVFPV is actively circulating among domestic ruminants and African buffaloes in Mozambique, therefore surveillance should be intensified.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

High seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus in domestic ruminants and African Buffaloes in Mozambique shows need for intensified surveillance

Moiane

Mapaco

Thompson

et al. 2017

Infection Ecology & Epidemiology

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“…12,13 Overall, in our Kruger National Park sample, seropositivity was highest in the first year of study (2000)(2001), likely secondary to anomalous heavy rainfall that had occurred in 2000 ( Figure 5 ). Transmission of RVFV is associated with excessive rainfall in high-risk areas because of the abrupt increase in mosquito numbers after flooding events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…3 Many wild animals have been shown to be seropositive for RVFV-neutralizing antibodies during IEP, including African buffalo, black rhino, lesser kudu, impala, African elephant, kongoni, and waterbuck. 12 Of interest, the highest wild animal RVFV antibody prevalence (> 15%) was observed in black rhinos and among ruminants (kudu, impala, African buffalo, and waterbuck) and the highest hemagglutination-inhibition titers (≤ 1:1,280) were observed primarily in buffalo, including young animals born after known epizootics, i.e., during the IEP. 12 African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) and Asian water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) have been found to have high RVFV seroprevalence in other cross-sectional surveillance studies in Africa, and it has been suggested that they may serve as one of the amplifying hosts for RVFV.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 Of interest, the highest wild animal RVFV antibody prevalence (> 15%) was observed in black rhinos and among ruminants (kudu, impala, African buffalo, and waterbuck) and the highest hemagglutination-inhibition titers (≤ 1:1,280) were observed primarily in buffalo, including young animals born after known epizootics, i.e., during the IEP. 12 African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) and Asian water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) have been found to have high RVFV seroprevalence in other cross-sectional surveillance studies in Africa, and it has been suggested that they may serve as one of the amplifying hosts for RVFV. 13,14 Published reports also document that buffalo experience significant morbidity (fetal loss) from wild-type RVFV infections, and RVFV has been isolated from a water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) fetus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection in African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Herds in Rural South Africa: Evidence of Interepidemic Transmission

LaBeaud¹,

Cross

Getz

et al. 2011

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging biodefense pathogen that poses significant threats to human and livestock health. To date, the interepidemic reservoirs of RVFV are not well defined. In a longitudinal survey of infectious diseases among African buffalo during [2000][2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006], 550 buffalo were tested for antibodies against RVFV in 820 capture events in 302 georeferenced locations in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Overall, 115 buffalo (21%) were seropositive. Seroprevalence of RVFV was highest (32%) in the first study year, and decreased progressively in subsequent years, but had no detectable impact on survival. Nine (7%) of 126 resampled, initially seronegative animals seroconverted during periods outside any reported regional RVFV outbreaks. Seroconversions for RVFV were detected in significant temporal clusters during 2001-2003 and in 2004. These findings highlight the potential importance of wildlife as reservoirs for RVFV and interepidemic RVFV transmission in perpetuating regional RVFV transmission risk. Sabie (2003Sabie ( -2006 regions of the park ( Figure 1 ). Briefly, from a defined sub-region of Kruger National Park having a buffalo population of approximately 3,000, 593 buffalo were captured at 302 georeferenced locations by using aerial or ground darting techniques, working in close collaboration with veterinarians in Kruger National Park.Captured animals were tested for exposure to infections and uniquely branded and given subcutaneous insertion of microchip tags for later identification. A subset (n = 167) were fitted with either radio collars or global positioning system collars for tracking and weekly to monthly follow-up. Because male and female buffalo have horns, it was impossible for a radio collar to come off an animal without tearing through the belting. We identified mortality events by the belting still being intact and the remains of a carcass. We assumed that a radio collar had fallen off if the belting was severed and no carcass was present after an extensive search of the area. 18 We estimated time since death (0-30 days) using the extent of carcass remains.18 During the study, there were 288 live repeat captures among the 593 buffalo studied and 55 documented deaths among the 167 tracked animals.Ethical approval. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval was through University of California Berkeley #R217-0402 to Wayne M. Getz. This protocol was also reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee for the South Africa National Parks.Animal assessment. Animals < 5 years of age were assigned to an age group on the basis of physical examination for incisor eruption pattern.19 Age of animals ≥ 5 years of age at the time of first examination was determined by visual comparison of horn development and body size to a calibrated photographic reference collection. 17,20 Four age groups were considered: youngest = 1-3 years, mid-low = 3-5 years, mid-high = 5-8 years, highest = more than 8 years.Testing for antibodies ...

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“…This flooding displaced entire villages and became breeding grounds for vector species. Infected Aedes transmit RVF to a variety of livestock and wildlife, which may develop high and sustained viremia, 29 and directly to humans; when virus levels in bloodstream are high, RVF may then be transmitted to other animals or to humans by other mosquitoes, and theoretically by any biting or blood-sucking insect. It appears that heavy rains and flooding preceded advent of outbreaks by at least 1 month in each of the affected areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%