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Ebogo-Belobo JT, Sadeuh-Mba SA, Chavely GM, Groschup MH, Mbacham WF, Njouom R. First detection of Rift Valley fever virus antibodies in non-human primates in Cameroon. J Med Primatol 2024; 53:e12687. [PMID: 38083993 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
We tested for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from at least 15 species of non-human primates. RVFV IgG/IgM antibodies were detected in 3.7% (2 out of 53) of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and in 1.4% (1 out of 72) of unidentified non-human primate species. This study was the first investigation of RVFV in monkeys in Cameroon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo
- Department of Virology, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Wilfred Fon Mbacham
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Richard Njouom
- Department of Virology, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Rift Valley Fever Virus Non-Structural Protein S Is Associated with Nuclear Translocation of Active Caspase-3 and Inclusion Body Formation. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112487. [PMID: 36366585 PMCID: PMC9698985 DOI: 10.3390/v14112487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) causes Rift Valley fever (RVF), an emerging zoonotic disease that causes abortion storms and high mortality rates in young ruminants as well as severe or even lethal complications in a subset of human patients. This study investigates the pathomechanism of intranuclear inclusion body formation in severe RVF in a mouse model. Liver samples from immunocompetent mice infected with virulent RVFV 35/74, and immunodeficient knockout mice that lack interferon type I receptor expression and were infected with attenuated RVFV MP12 were compared to livers from uninfected controls using histopathology and immunohistochemistry for RVFV nucleoprotein, non-structural protein S (NSs) and pro-apoptotic active caspase-3. Histopathology of the livers showed virus-induced, severe hepatic necrosis in both mouse strains. However, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence revealed eosinophilic, comma-shaped, intranuclear inclusions and an intranuclear (co-)localization of RVFV NSs and active caspase-3 only in 35/74-infected immunocompetent mice, but not in MP12-infected immunodeficient mice. These results suggest that intranuclear accumulation of RVFV 35/74 NSs is involved in nuclear translocation of active caspase-3, and that nuclear NSs and active caspase-3 are involved in the formation of the light microscopically visible inclusion bodies.
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Ebogo‐Belobo JT, Sadeuh‐Mba SA, Mveng‐Sanding GMA, Chavely GM, Groschup MH, Mbacham WF, Njouom R. Serological evidence of the circulation of the Rift Valley fever virus in sheep and goats slaughtered in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:2114-2118. [PMID: 35594478 PMCID: PMC9514481 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Thierry Ebogo‐Belobo
- Department of Virology Centre Pasteur of Cameroon Yaoundé Cameroon
- Medical Research Centre Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies Yaoundé Cameroon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science The University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
| | | | | | | | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases Friedrich‐Loefer‐Institut Greifswald‐Insel Riems Germany
| | - Wilfred Fon Mbacham
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science The University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
| | - Richard Njouom
- Department of Virology Centre Pasteur of Cameroon Yaoundé Cameroon
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Bronsvoort BM, Kelly RF, Freeman E, Callaby R, Bagninbom JM, Ndip L, Handel IG, Tanya VN, Morgan KL, Ngwa VN, Rossi G, Nfon CK, Mazeri S. A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based, Seroepidemiological Study of Rift Valley Fever in Cameroonian Cattle Populations. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:897481. [PMID: 35774979 PMCID: PMC9237551 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.897481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an important emerging zoonoses causing abortion and neonatal deaths in livestock and hemorrhagic fever in humans. It is typically characterized by acute epidemics with abortion storms often preceding human disease and these events have been associated with the El Niño weather cycles. Outside of areas that experience epidemics, little is known about its epidemiology. Here, we present results from a serological study using biobank samples from a study of cattle conducted in 2013 at two sites in Cameroon. A total of 1,458 cattle from 100 herds were bled and sera screened using a commercially available RVF ELISA. The overall design-adjusted animal-level apparent seroprevalence of RVF exposure for the Northwest Region (NWR) of Cameroon was 6.5% (95% CI: 3.9–11.0) and for the Vina Division (VIN) of the Adamawa Region was 8.2% (95% CI: 6.2–11.0). The age-stratified serological results were also used to estimate the force of infection, and the age-independent estimates were 0.029 for the VIN and 0.024 for the NWR. The effective reproductive number was ~1.08. Increasing age and contact with wild antelope species were associated with an increased risk of seropositivity, while high altitudes and contact with buffalo were associated with a reduced risk of seropositivity. The serological patterns are more consistent with an endemical stability rather than the more typical epidemic patterns seen in East Africa. However, there is little surveillance in livestock for abortion storms or in humans with fevers in Cameroon, and it is, therefore, difficult to interpret these observations. There is an urgent need for an integrated One Health approach to understand the levels of human- and livestock-related clinical and asymptomatic disease and whether there is a need to implement interventions such as vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barend Mark Bronsvoort
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Farm Animal Services, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Barend Mark Bronsvoort
| | - Robert Francis Kelly
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Farm Animal Services, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Freeman
- Farm Animal Services, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Callaby
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jean Marc Bagninbom
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Lucy Ndip
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ian Graham Handel
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Farm Animal Services, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kenton Lloyd Morgan
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease and School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Ngu Ngwa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Gianluigi Rossi
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Charles K. Nfon
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Mahmoud AS, Sawesi OK, El-Waer OR, Bennour EM. Rift valley fever in Africa with the emerging interest in Libya. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.237-245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift valley fever (RVF) is an acute vector-borne viral zoonotic disease of domestic and wild ruminants. The RVF virus (RVFV) belonging to the Phlebovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family causes this disease. Studies have shown that mosquitoes are the vectors that transmit RVFV. Specifically, Aedes and Culex mosquito species are among the many vectors of this virus, which affects not only sheep, goats, buffalo, cattle, and camels but also human beings. Since the 30s of the last century, RVF struck Africa, and to a lesser extent, Asian continents, with subsequent episodes of epizootic, epidemic, and sporadic outbreaks. These outbreaks, therefore, resulted in the cumulative loss of thousands of human lives, thereby disrupting the livestock market or only those with seropositive cases. After that outbreak episode, RVF was not reported in Libya until January 13, 2020, where it was reported for the 1st time in a flock of sheep and goats in the southern region of the country. Although insufficient evidence to support RVF clinical cases among the confirmed seropositive animals exists, neither human cases nor death were reported in Libya. Yet, the overtime expansion of RVF kinetics in the Libyan neighborhoods, in addition to the instability and security vacuum experienced in the country, lack of outbreak preparedness, and the availability of suitable climatic and disease vector factors, makes this country a possible future scene candidate for RVF expansion. Urgently, strengthening veterinary services (VS) and laboratory diagnostic capacities, including improvement of monitoring and surveillance activity programs, should be implemented in areas at risk (where imported animals crossing borders from Libyan neighborhoods and competent vectors are found) at national, sub-national, and regional levels. The Libyan government should also implement a tripartite framework (one health approach) among the veterinary public health, public health authority, and environmental sanitation sectors to implement RVF surveillance protocols, along with an active partnership with competent international bodies (OIE, FAO, and WHO). Therefore, this review comprises the most updated data regarding the epidemiological situation of RVF infections and its socioeconomic impacts on African and Asian continents, and also emphasize the emerging interest of RVF in Libya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdusalam S. Mahmoud
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Osama K. Sawesi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Osama R. El-Waer
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Emad M. Bennour
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
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Bamou R, Mayi MPA, Djiappi-Tchamen B, Nana-Ndjangwo SM, Nchoutpouen E, Cornel AJ, Awono-Ambene P, Parola P, Tchuinkam T, Antonio-Nkondjio C. An update on the mosquito fauna and mosquito-borne diseases distribution in Cameroon. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:527. [PMID: 34635176 PMCID: PMC8507310 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya in the past 15 years has ignited the need for active surveillance of common and neglected mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The surveillance should be designed to detect diseases and to provide relevant field-based data for developing and implementing effective control measures to prevent outbreaks before significant public health consequences can occur. Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal pathogens, and knowledge on their biodiversity and distribution in the Afrotropical region is needed for the development of evidence-based vector control strategies. Following a comprehensive literature search, an inventory of the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes as well as the different mosquito-borne diseases found in Cameroon was made. A total of 290 publications/reports and the mosquito catalogue website were consulted for the review. To date, about 307 species, four subspecies and one putative new species of Culicidae, comprising 60 species and one putative new species of Anopheles, 67 species and two subspecies of Culex, 77 species and one subspecies of Aedes, 31 species and one subspecies of Eretmapodites, two Mansonia, eight Coquillettidia, and 62 species with unknown medical and veterinary importance (Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, Mimomyia, Malaya, Hodgesia, Ficalbia, Orthopodomyia, Aedeomyia, and Culiseta and Lutzia) have been collected in Cameroon. Multiple mosquito species implicated in the transmission of pathogens within Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Eretmapodites, Mansonia, and Coquillettidia have been reported in Cameroon. Furthermore, the presence of 26 human and zoonotic arboviral diseases, one helminthic disease, and two protozoal diseases has been reported. Information on the bionomics, taxonomy, and distribution of mosquito species will be useful for the development of integrated vector management programmes for the surveillance and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases in Cameroon. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Bamou
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon. .,Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Marie Paul Audrey Mayi
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Borel Djiappi-Tchamen
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.,Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Stella Mariette Nana-Ndjangwo
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie et d'écologie, Université de Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroun
| | - Elysée Nchoutpouen
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Antony John Cornel
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Mosquito Control Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Parfait Awono-Ambene
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Phillipe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Timoléon Tchuinkam
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Kumalija MS, Chilongola JO, Budodo RM, Horumpende PG, Mkumbaye SI, Vianney JM, Mwakapuja RS, Mmbaga BT. Detection of Rift Valley Fever virus inter-epidemic activity in Kilimanjaro Region, North Eastern Tanzania. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:1957554. [PMID: 34415237 PMCID: PMC8381910 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1957554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of public health impact infecting livestock, wildlife, and humans mainly in Africa and other parts of the world. Despite its public health importance, mechanisms of RVFV maintenance during interepidemic periods (IEPS) remain unclear. Objective We aimed to examine comparatively exposure to RVFV between humans and goats and RVFV infection between humans, goats and mosquitoes. Methods A cross sectional study was performed in the Lower Moshi area of the Kilimanjaro region from March to June 2020. RVFV exposure was determined by detecting IgG/IgM to RVFV using a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay whereas infection was determined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. Results Results show that the male gender was related to RVFV seropositivity (χ2 = 5.351; p=0.030). Being 50 years and above was related to seropositivity (χ2 =14.430; p=0.006) whereas bed net use, larger numbers of persons living in the same house (>7 persons) and RVFV seropositivity in goats were related to higher seropositivity to RVFV among humans χ2 =6.003; p=0.021, χ2 =23.213; p < 0.001 and χ2 =27.053; p < 0.001), respectively. By the use of RT-qPCR, goats exhibited the highest RVFV infection rate of 4.1%, followed by humans (2.6%), Ae. aegypti (2.3%), and Cx. pipiens complex(1.5%). Likewise, a higher proportion of goats (23.3%) were RVFV seropositive as compared with humans (13.2%). Conclusion Our findings suggest the Lower Moshi area as a potential hotspot for Rift Valley Fever (RVF), posing the danger of being a source of RVFV spread to other areas. Goats had the highest infection rate, suggesting goats as important hosts for virus maintenance during IEPs. We recommend the implementation of strategies that will warrant active RVF surveillance through the identification of RVF hotspots for targeted control of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medard S Kumalija
- Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, Nelson Mandela Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Jaffu O Chilongola
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi Tanzania.,Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Rule M Budodo
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Pius G Horumpende
- Department of Public Health and Research, Lugalo Military College of Medical Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sixbert I Mkumbaye
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - John-Mary Vianney
- Department of Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, Nelson Mandela Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Richard S Mwakapuja
- Department of Bacterial Vaccines, Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA), Kibaha, Tanzania
| | - Blandina T Mmbaga
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
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Rodrigue Simonet PN, Alexandre Michel NN, Abel W, Albert E, Martin Hermann G, Franziska S. Diversity and Abundance of Potential Vectors of Rift Valley Fever Virus in the North Region of Cameroon. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110814. [PMID: 33227891 PMCID: PMC7699143 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) transmitted by various genera of mosquitoes usually classified into primary vectors and secondary vectors. The former, belonging to the genus Aedes, are known for their ability to lay drought resistant eggs that can maintain the virus on dry soil for many years in geomorphic structures in the form of shallow depressions. After heavy rains, mosquitoes hatch from these eggs, some of which are infected and transmit the virus to neighboring animals. The secondary vectors, mainly mosquitoes of the genera Culex, Anopheles, and Mansonia, can colonize these sites, reproduce in abundance, and subsequently spread RVFV. Although the northern regions of Cameroon host more than half of the country’s cattle, sheep, and goat populations, there is a dearth of information on the occurrence and transmission of RVFV and its vectors. The very common transhumance of animals during periods of drought leads to contact between domestic and wild animals and creates opportunities for cross-transmission of the virus. It also increases the possibilities of exposure of herds to vectors, in particular at water points. In addition, rare heavy rainfall, flooding, and irrigation-based agricultural practices in these regions provide conditions for vector proliferation and increase the risk of the spread of vector-borne diseases, including RVF. Therefore, this study aimed to determine species diversity and spatial distribution of potential RVFV vectors in the North Region of Cameroon. The study revealed the presence of potential primary and secondary vectors of RVFV with an abundance and a diversity varying according to the ecological sites studied. This presence of potential vectors with their variable number per trap, per night, or per site may create areas of variable risk for disease transmission to susceptible hosts. Molecular analysis (PCR) tests for RVFV RNA research and viral isolation methods on these vectors to determine their role in the epidemiology and control of RVF cannot be overemphasized. Abstract Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a major viral zoonosis transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus is endemic in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa and can affect humans, livestock, and wild ungulates. Knowledge of the biology of vectors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is essential for the establishment of effective control measures of the disease. The objective of this study was to determine the species diversity and relative abundance of potential RVFV vectors in the North Region of Cameroon. Adult mosquitoes were trapped during the wet and dry seasons from December 2017 to January 2019 with “EVS Light” traps with CO2 baits placed at selected sites. The captured mosquitoes were identified using dichotomous keys according to standard procedures. The abundance was calculated with regard to site, zone, and collection season. A total of 27,851 mosquitoes belonging to four genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Mansonia, and Culex) and comprising 31 species were caught (including 22 secondary vectors (98.05%) and nine primary vectors (1.94%). The total number of mosquitoes varied significantly depending on the locality (p-value < 0.001). The average number of mosquitoes collected per trap night was significantly higher in irrigated areas (p-value < 0.001), compared to urban and non-irrigated areas. The study revealed the presence of potential primary and secondary vectors of RVFV with varying abundance and diversity according to locality and ecological site in the North Region of Cameroon. The results showed that the genus Mansonia with the species Ma. uniformis and Ma. africana formed the dominant taxon (52.33%), followed by the genera Culex (45.04%) and Anopheles (2.61%). The need for molecular analysis (PCR) tests for RVFV RNA research and viral isolation methods on these vectors to determine their role in the epidemiology and control of RVF cannot be overemphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poueme Namegni Rodrigue Simonet
- National Veterinary Laboratory Cameroon (LANAVET), Garoua BP 503, Cameroon;
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere BP 454, Cameroon;
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Wade Abel
- National Veterinary Laboratory Cameroon (LANAVET), Garoua BP 503, Cameroon;
| | - Eisenbarth Albert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (E.A.); (G.M.H.); (S.F.)
| | - Groschup Martin Hermann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (E.A.); (G.M.H.); (S.F.)
| | - Stoek Franziska
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (E.A.); (G.M.H.); (S.F.)
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