Muiruri, S.Kabiru, Ephantus W.Muchiri, E. M.Hussein, H.Kagondu, F.LaBeaud, A. D.King, C. H.2015-07-102015-07-102015Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015, vol. 92 no. 2: 394-4000002-9637http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/13147doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0440Few 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.enArticle