Abstract
We evaluated the prevalence of Rift Valley fever virus IgG and IgM in human serum samples (n = 1,276) collected in 2013–2014 in northern Botswana. Our findings provide evidence of active circulation of this virus in humans in the absence of clinical disease in this region.
Highlights
Young adultIn Botswana, no human infections have been recorded, nor have large outbreaks in livestock occurred, suggesting that the dynamics of RVF virus (RVFV) transmission and persistence differ between these countries
We evaluated the prevalence of Rift Valley fever virus IgG and IgM in human serum samples (n = 1,276) collected in 2013–2014 in northern Botswana
Despite numerous large-scale Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks across southern Africa being reported to the World Animal Health Information Database, no outbreaks in people have been detected in Botswana
Summary
In Botswana, no human infections have been recorded, nor have large outbreaks in livestock occurred, suggesting that the dynamics of RVFV transmission and persistence differ between these countries. This difference may be reflective of differing agricultural production intensities and livestock composition; the Chobe District solely supports subsistence farming and has fewer small domestic ruminants. Data) and slaughtered large livestock [12] It is unclear why IgM was detected only in women; women are involved in handling butchered meat in food preparation [12], and exposure differences may influence transmission risk from potentially infected animal tissues and fluids.
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