Cross-sectional Survey of Rift Valley Fever Virus Exposure in Bodhei Village Located in a Transitional Coastal Forest Habitat in Lamu County, Kenya.
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Muiruri, S.
Kabiru, Ephantus W.
Muchiri, E. M.
Hussein, H.
Kagondu, F.
LaBeaud, A. D.
King, C. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract
Few studies have focused on Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) transmission in less arid, transitional landscapes surrounding known high-risk regions. The objective of this study was to identify evidence of RVFV exposure in Bodhei Village in a forested area at the edge of the RVFV-epidemic Garissa region. In a household cluster-based survey conducted between epidemics in early 2006, 211 participants were enrolled. Overall seroprevalence for anti-RVFV was high (18%) and comparable with rates in the more arid, dense brush regions farther north. Seroprevalence of adults was 28%, whereas that of children was significantly lower (3%; P < 0.001); the youngest positive child was age 3 years. Males were more likely to be seropositive than females (25% versus 11%; P < 0.01), and animal husbandry activities (birthing, sheltering, and butchering) were strongly associated with seropositivity. The results confirm that significant RVFV transmission occurs outside of recognized high-risk areas and independent of known epidemic periods.
Description
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0440
Keywords
Citation
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015, vol. 92 no. 2: 394-400