| Autor: |
Kainga H; Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe 207203, Malawi.; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Phonera MC; Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe 207203, Malawi., Chatanga E; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe 207203, Malawi., Kallu SA; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia., Mpundu P; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka 33991, Zambia., Samutela M; Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Chambaro HM; Virology Unit, Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Kajihara M; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan., Shempela DM; Churches Health Association of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Sikalima J; Churches Health Association of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Muleya W; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Shawa M; Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan., Chulu J; Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe 207203, Malawi., Njunga G; Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe 207203, Malawi., Simuunza M; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia., Takada A; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan., Sawa H; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Japan Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan.; Japan Global Virus Network, Baltimore, ML 21201, USA.; One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan., Simulundu E; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.; Macha Research Trust, Choma 20100, Zambia., Saasa N; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia. |
| Abstrakt: |
The epidemiology of Rift Valley fever (RVF) is poorly understood in Malawi. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted (March-June 2020) to investigate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of RVF virus (RVFV) in cattle, goats, and sheep in three ecological zones of Malawi. A total of 1523 serum samples were tested for anti-RVFV IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was used to assess potential RVF risk factors. The overall seroprevalence was 17.14% (261/1523; 95% CI = 15.33-19.11) for individual livestock and 33.24% (120/361; 95% CI = 28.18-38.11) for the livestock herd. Seroprevalence was significantly high in sheep (25.68%, 95% CI = 19.31-33.26) compared with cattle (21.35%, 95% CI = 18.74-24.22) and goats (7.72%, 95% CI = 5.72-10.34), ( p = 0.047). At the individual livestock level, the risk was elevated in female livestock (OR: 1.74, 95% CI = 1.08-12.82) ( p = 0.016), while at the herd level, areas receiving approximately 1001-1500 mm of rainfall (OR: 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14-5.37) ( p = 0.022), areas of rainfall amount greater than approximately 1600 mm (OR: 2.239, 95% CI = 1.07-8.82) ( p = 0.023), and mixed species herds (OR: 10.410, 95% CI = 3.04-35.59) ( p = 0.001), were significant risk factors. The detection of IgM antibodies confirmed active circulation of RVFV in Malawi. Therefore, monitoring of RVF in animals, humans, and vectors using a "One Health" approach, along with community sensitization among the high-risk populations, could help mitigate the threat posed by this zoonotic disease in Malawi. |
