An Outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Northeastern Kenya, 1997-98

• DOI: 10.3201/eid0802.010023
• Publication Date: 2009-08-20T20:48:28Z
• Authors: Christopher W. Woods; Adam M. Karpati; Thomas Grein; Noel McCarthy; Peter Gaturuku; Eric Muchiri; Lee Dunster; Alden Henderson; Ali S. Khan; Robert Swanepoel; Isabelle Bonmarin; Louise Martin; Philip Mann; Bonnie L. Smoak; Michael Ryan; Thomas G. Ksiazek; Ray R. Arthur; Andre Ndikuyeze; Naphtali N. Agata; Clarence J Peters
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Orthobunyavirus; Time Factors; Adolescent; Rift Valley Fever; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Antibodies, Viral; Disease Outbreaks; 03 medical and health sciences; Age Distribution; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; Humans; Child; Research; R; zoonosis; Middle Aged; Rift Valley fever; Kenya; 3. Good health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Immunoglobulin M; Population Surveillance; Medicine; Female; hemorrhagic fever

In December 1997, 170 hemorrhagic fever-associated deaths were reported in Garissa District, Kenya. Laboratory testing identified evidence of acute Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Of the 171 persons enrolled in a cross-sectional study, 31(18%) were anti-RVFV immunoglobulin (Ig) M positive. An age-adjusted IgM antibody prevalence of 14% was estimated for the district. We estimate approximately 27,500 infections occurred in Garissa District, making this the largest recorded outbreak of RVFV in East Africa. In multivariable analysis, contact with sheep body fluids and sheltering livestock in one s home were significantly associated with infection. Direct contact with animals, particularly contact with sheep body fluids, was the most important modifiable risk factor for RVFV infection. Public education during epizootics may reduce human illness and deaths associated with future outbreaks.