Orthobunyavirus antibodies among humans in selected parts of the Rift Valley and northeastern Kenya

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Authors

Odhiambo, Collins
Venter, Marietjie
Swanepoel, Robert
Sang, Rosemary

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Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert

Abstract

Ngari, Bunyamwera, Ilesha, and Germiston viruses are among the mosquito-borne human pathogens in the Orthobunyavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae, associated with febrile illness. Although the four orthobunyaviruses have been isolated from mosquito and/or tick vectors sampled from different geographic regions in Kenya, little is known of human exposure in such areas. We conducted a serologic investigation to determine whether orthobunyaviruses commonly infect humans in Kenya. Orthobunyavirus-specific antibodies were detected by plaque reduction neutralization tests in 89 (25.8%) of 345 persons tested. Multivariable analysis revealed age and residence in northeastern Kenya as risk factors. Implementation of acute febrile illness surveillance in northeastern Kenya will help to detect such infections.

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Keywords

Orthobunyavirus, Bunyaviridae, Arboviruses, Kenya

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Citation

Odhiambo, C, Venter, M, Swanepoel, R & Sang, R 2015, 'Orthobunyavirus antibodies among humans in selected parts of the rift valley and northeastern Kenya', Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 329-332.