The occurrence of ephemeral fever in Kenya, 1968–1988

Abstract

Ephemeral fever occurs in Kenya in epidemics which have been associated with periods of unusually heavy and prolonged rainfal. The epidemics persist for 2–3 yearand involve most of the country. The occur in the same years as epizootics of Rift Valley fever, which is a mosquito-borne Phlebovirus infection. Sporadic outbreaks of the disease have been assiciated with local heavy rains; though one outbreak occured during a dry period. Culicoides spp. were generally present in large numbers at the site of the outbreaks. Seroconversions were detected in sentinel cattle, when there had been no apparent clinical disease.