Serologic evidence of arboviral infections among humans in Kenya

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Jul;85(1):158-61. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0203.

Abstract

Outbreaks of arthropod-borne viral infections occur periodically across Kenya. However, limited surveillance takes place during interepidemic periods. Using serum samples obtained from asymptomatic persons across Kenya in 2000-2004, we assessed (by indirect immunofluorescent assay) prevalence of IgG against yellow fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV1-4), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Older persons on the Indian Ocean coast were more likely to be seropositive than children inland: YFV = 42% versus 6%, WNV = 29% versus 6%, TBEV = 16% versus 6%, DENV-1 = 63% versus 9%, DENV-2 = 67% versus 7%, DENV-3 = 55% versus 6%, DENV-4 = 44% versus 8%, and CHIKV = 37% versus 20%. Among inland samples, children in lowlands were more likely to be seropositive for CHIKV (42% versus 0%) than children in highlands. In Kenya, transmission of arboviral infection continues between known epidemics and remains common across the country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arbovirus Infections / blood
  • Arbovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Arbovirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Arthropod Vectors
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies