Tickborne arbovirus surveillance in market livestock, Nairobi, Kenya

Rosemary Sang, Clayton Onyango, John Gachoya, Ernest Mabinda, Samson Konongoi, Victor Ofula, Lee Dunster, Fred Okoth, Rodney Coldren, Robert Tesh, Amelia Travassos Da Rosa, Stacy Finkbeiner, David Wang, Mary Crabtree, Barry Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

To identify tickborne viruses circulating in Kenya and the surrounding region, we conducted surveillance at abattoirs in Nairobi, Kenya. Species of ticks collected included Rhipicephalus pulchellus (56%), Amblyomma gemma (14%), R. appendiculatus (8%), A. variegatum (6%), and others. A total of 56 virus isolates were obtained, 26 from A. gemma, 17 from R. pulchellus, 6 from A. variegatum, and 7 from other species. Virus isolates included Dugbe virus (DUGV), an unknown virus related to DUGV, Thogoto, Bhanja, Kadam, Dhori, Barur, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMDV) viruses. This is the first report of Dhori virus isolation in East Africa and the first known isolation of FMDV associated with tick collection. Our results demonstrate the potential for tickborne dissemination of endemic and emergent viruses and the relevance of A. gemma in the maintenance of tickborne viruses in this region.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1074-1080
Number of pages7
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume12
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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