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Patterns of Rift Valley fever activity in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

F. G. Davies
Affiliation:
WHO/FAO Regional Reference Centre for Rift Valley Fever.
E. Kilelu
Affiliation:
Veterinary Research Laboratory, PO Kabete, Kenya.
K. J. Linthicum
Affiliation:
Usamriid, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
R. G. Pegram
Affiliation:
FAO/Danida Tick Control Project, Department of Veterinary and Tsetse Control Services, Balmoral, Zambia.
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Summary

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Summary An hypothesis that there was an annual emergence of Rift Valley fever virus in Zambia, during or after the seasonal rains, was examined with the aid of sentinel cattle. Serum samples taken during 1974 and 1978 showed evidence of epizootic Rift Valley fever in Zambia, with more than 80% positive. A sentinel herd exposed from 1982 to 1986 showed that some Rift Valley fever occurred each year. This was usually at a low level, with 3–8% of the susceptible cattle seroconverting. In 1985–6 more than 20% of the animals seroconverted, and this greater activity was associated with vegetational changes - which could be detected by remote-sensing satellite imagery-which have also been associated with greater virus activity in Kenya.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

References

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