Abstract
Most outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occur in remote locations after floods. To determine environmental risk factors and long-term sequelae of human RVF, we examined rates of previous Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) exposure by age and location during an interepidemic period in 2006. In a randomized household cluster survey in 2 areas of Ijara District, Kenya, we examined 248 residents of 2 sublocations, Gumarey (village) and Sogan-Godud (town). Overall, the RVFV seropositivity rate was 13% according to immunoglobulin G ELISA; evidence of interepidemic RVFV transmission was detected. Increased seropositivity was found among older persons, those who were male, those who lived in the rural village (Gumarey), and those who had disposed of animal abortus. Rural Gumarey reported more mosquito and animal exposure than Sogan-Godud. Seropositive persons were more likely to have visual impairment and retinal lesions; other physical findings did not differ.
Highlights
Most outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occur in remote locations after floods
RVF is caused by the phlebovirus, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which was originally isolated in Kenya and is endemic to other countries of East Africa, South Africa, and the Senegal River valley [3,5,6,7]
The goals of this study were to 1) determine the baseline human population health status in an area that has suffered repeated RVF outbreaks; 2) identify which animal and nonanimal exposures are associated with RVFV seropositivity; 3) evaluate whether seropositivity, exposures, and risks differ among town and village settings in a high-risk region of northeastern Kenya; and 4) assess whether interepidemic human RVFV transmission occurs
Summary
Most outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occur in remote locations after floods. To determine environmental risk factors and long-term sequelae of human RVF, we examined rates of previous Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) exposure by age and location during an interepidemic period in 2006. Economic effects can be catastrophic for meat and dairy producers, e.g., high illness and mortality rates among affected livestock herds [1,2] prompting World Organization for Animal Health–mandated international embargoes of livestock exports. These epidemics are even more devastating for pastoral nomads and local herders; many adult animals can die, affecting the crop of newborns and the survival of locals who are economically and physically dependent on milk and meat during the epidemic.
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