Evidence for circulation of the rift valley fever virus among livestock in the union of Comoros

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Jul 31;8(7):e3045. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003045. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an arthropod-borne phlebovirus reported to be circulating in most parts of Africa. Since 2009, RVFV has been suspected of continuously circulating in the Union of Comoros. To estimate the incidence of RVFV antibody acquisition in the Comorian ruminant population, 191 young goats and cattle were selected in six distinct zones and sampled periodically from April 2010 to August 2011. We found an estimated incidence of RVFV antibody acquisition of 17.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): [8.9-26.1]) with a significant difference between islands (8.2% in Grande Comore, 72.3% in Moheli and 5.8% in Anjouan). Simultaneously, a longitudinal entomological survey was conducted and ruminant trade-related information was collected. No RVFV RNA was detected out of the 1,568 blood-sucking caught insects, including three potential vectors of RVFV mosquito species. Our trade survey suggests that there is a continuous flow of live animals from eastern Africa to the Union of Comoros and movements of ruminants between the three Comoro islands. Finally, a cross-sectional study was performed in August 2011 at the end of the follow-up. We found an estimated RVFV antibody prevalence of 19.3% (95% CI: [15.6%-23.0%]). Our findings suggest a complex RVFV epidemiological cycle in the Union of Comoros with probable inter-islands differences in RVFV circulation patterns. Moheli, and potentially Anjouan, appear to be acting as endemic reservoir of infection whereas RVFV persistence in Grande Comore could be correlated with trade in live animals with the eastern coast of Africa. More data are needed to estimate the real impact of the disease on human health and on the national economy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Comoros / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Incidence
  • Insect Vectors
  • Insecta / virology
  • Livestock / virology*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Rift Valley Fever / epidemiology*
  • Rift Valley Fever / immunology
  • Rift Valley Fever / virology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / immunology*
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Topography, Medical

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

This study was conducted in the framework of AnimalRisk-OI, a research program on emerging animal diseases in the Indian Ocean, funded by FEDER POCT (European Union, Regional Council of Reunion and the French government). The study was partially funded by EU grant FP7-261504 EDENext and is catalogued by the EDENext Steering Committee as EDENext000 (http://www.edenext.eu).The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.