Abstract
BackgroundRift Valley fever (RVF) is classified as viral hemorrhagic fever and is endemic in East and West Africa. RVF is caused by an arthropod borne virus (RVFV); the disease is zoonotic and affects human, animal health as well as international trade. In livestock it causes abortions, while human infection occurs through close contact with infected animals or animal products.MethodsA quantitative observational study using stratified sampling was conducted in the western region of Uganda. Blood samples and abortion events from 1000 livestock (goats, sheep and cattle) was collected and recorded. Serum was analyzed for RVFV IgG reacting antibodies using competitive ELISA test.ResultsThe overall RVFV seroprevalence was of 10.4% (104/1000). Cattle had the highest seroprevalence (7%) followed by Sheep (2.2%) then goats (1.2%). Species specific RVFV seroprevalence was highest in cattle (20.5%) followed by sheep (6.8%) then goats (3.6%). RVFV seroprevalence in northern highlands (21.8%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the southern lowlands (3.7%). Overall prevalence of abortion was (17.4%), sheep had the highest prevalence of abortion (7.8%) followed by goats (6.3%) and then cattle (3.3%). Species specific abortion prevalence was highest in Sheep (24.1%) followed by goats (18.8%) and then 9.7% in cattle.ConclusionRVFV is endemic in Kisoro district and livestock in the highland areas are more likely to be exposed to RVFV infection compared to those in the southern lowlands. Out breaks in livestock most likely will lead to zoonotic infection in Kisoro district.
Highlights
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is classified as viral hemorrhagic fever and is endemic in East and West Africa
RVFV seroprevalence in the six sub counties located in northern highlands (21.8%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the eight sub counties in the south lowlands (3.7%)
Livestock in the highland areas are more likely to be exposed to RVFV infection compared to those in the southern lowlands
Summary
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is classified as viral hemorrhagic fever and is endemic in East and West Africa. RVF is caused by an arthropod borne virus (RVFV); the disease is zoonotic and affects human, animal health as well as international trade. In livestock it causes abortions, while human infection occurs through close contact with infected animals or animal products. Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV), a member of the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family [1]. Because of the ubiquity of its vectors and the continuous increase in international trade and exchanges, RVFV presents a constant global risk of expansion out of its original domains [30]
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