Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonotic diseases in the Central African Republic monitored by human, animal, and environmental health services, but epidemiological data on this disease is currently limited or even non-existent in the country. This study was therefore conducted in the country to assess the prevalence of the disease in ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye, a town located in the prefecture of Lim-pendé, which borders the Republic of Cameroon (2 km) and Chad (10 km). To this end, 239 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 28), sheep (n = 46), and goats (n = 165). An analysis was carried out at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui using a competitive ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies against the FVR virus. The results obtained from the laboratory indicated an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the prevalence was 7.14% in cattle, while all samples from sheep and goats were negative for Rift Valley fever. These data show that Rift Valley fever virus is circulating silently among ruminants in the Ngaoundaye region and call for urgent measures for active surveillance of Rift Valley fever in animals by the country's veterinary services.
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Rift Valley Fever, Ruminants, Prevalence, Central African Republic
1. Introduction
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonoses under surveillance in the Central African Republic. It is caused by a phlebovirus, transmitted mainly by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, but also by direct contact with infected animals or their body fluids. It affects domestic animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats, as well as wildlife and humans
[2]
Al-Afaleq AI, Hussein MF, Al-Naeem AA, Housawi F, GKabati A, 2012. Étude séro-épidémiologique de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (FVR) chez les animaux en Arabie Saoudite. Trop Anim Santé Prod. 44: 1535–9.
[10]
Olive MM, Goodman SM, Reynes JM, 2012. The role of wild mammals in the maintenance of Rift Valley fever virus. Journal of wildlife diseases, 48(2), 241-266.
[11]
OMSA (2025). Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift - OMSA - Organisation mondiale de la santé animale.
Rich KM, Wanyoike F., 2010. Évaluation des impacts socio-économiques régionaux et nationaux de l'épidémie de fièvre de la vallée du Rift de 2007 au Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010; 83: 52–7.
[14]
Thiongane Y, Bada Alambédji R, Morou A, Lo MM, Mathiot C, Gonzalez JP, Akakpo AJ. 2004. La Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift enquête sérologique chez les ruminants domestiques dans la région du Fleuve. Revue Africaine de santé et Productions Animales, 2(1): 31-35.
[15]
Shopnil A, Rezaul I, Mominur R., 2023. Rift Valley fever (RVF): a re-emerging zoonotic disease, pathogenesis, epidemiology, current status, and future prospects – correspondence. International Journal of Surgery 109(3): pp. 587-588.
[2, 10-15]
. In animals, the main symptoms are abortions in females and high mortality in young animals (Gerdes, 2004). The economic impact is therefore considerable, with massive losses in flocks, particularly in young sheep and goats, where mortality can reach 90
[5]
Gerdes GH, 2004. Rift valley fever. Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics), 23(2), 613-623.
[5]
. These losses disrupt livestock farmers' livelihoods, food security and local economies
[11]
OMSA (2025). Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift - OMSA - Organisation mondiale de la santé animale.
Rich KM, Wanyoike F., 2010. Évaluation des impacts socio-économiques régionaux et nationaux de l'épidémie de fièvre de la vallée du Rift de 2007 au Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010; 83: 52–7.
[11-13]
.
Since it was first isolated in Kenya in 1931, the RVF virus has gradually spread throughout Africa and the Middle East, where it has caused numerous epizootics. Epizootics are generally triggered by intense rainfall and the resulting outbreaks of mosquitoes. In West Africa, the first known outbreak took place in Mauritania in 1987, when 250 human cases, including 28 fatalities, were recorded, following an epizootic in small ruminants; then a second emergence, ten years later, again in Mauritania, caused epizootics and human contamination
[4]
Arsevska E, Lancelot R, Mamy E, Bezeid A, Cetre-Sossah C. 2016. Situation épidémiologique de la fièvre de la Vallée du Rift en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Nord. Bulletin épidémiologique, santé animale et alimentation., 74: 25–29.
[7]
El Mamy AB, Baba MO, Barry Y, Isselmou K, Dia ML, El Kory MOB, Diop M, Lo MM, Thiongane Y, Bengoumi M, Puech L, Plee L, Claes F De la Rocque S, Doumbia B. 2011. Unexpected Rift Valley fever outbreak, northern Mauritania. Emerg Infect Dis., 17(10): 1894-1896.
In the Central African Republic (CAR), RVF is endemic. From 2019 to 2024, 04 cases were noted in Boali (Ombella M'Poko), Chimbolo (Ouaka) and Safa (Lobaye).
A new outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) was declared in Ngaoundaye, in the Lim-Pende prefecture. Between December 23, 2024 and January 8, 2025, five human cases were confirmed by the Institut Pasteur in Bangui, including one death. On January 10, 2025, the Ministry of Health and Population declared the epidemic, drawing attention to its seriousness for public health and its economic impact, particularly for livestock farmers. Ngaoundaye is particularly exposed to RVF due to its geographical position (2 km from Chad and 10 km from Cameroon). There is also a high level of cross-border mobility of livestock, people and wildlife in the area.
Recurrent outbreaks of RVF highlight the structural shortcomings of the CAR's animal health system, notably inadequate infrastructure, impassable roads, shortage of qualified personnel, lack of financial resources and, above all, the lack of a functional nationwide animal disease epidemio-surveillance network. The current epidemic in Ngaoundaye is a good illustration of this vulnerability. Ngaoundaye's proximity to neighboring countries and areas accentuates the risk of cross-border spread, making regional coordination essential. Climate change, particularly heavy rainfall, will exacerbate the risk of future epidemics.
In response to the RVF epidemic, a mission consisting of a central and decentralized multi-sectoral team supported by the FAO was carried out in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye to conduct in-depth investigations in ruminants and humans. The aim of this study was to analyze the circulation of the rift valley fever virus in ruminants in the Ngaoundaye sub-prefecture.
2. Materiel Et Methodes
2.1. Study Area
The study was carried out in the town of Ngaoundaye and surrounding villages. The study area is located in north-western CAR (2 km from Chad and 10 km from Cameroon). The town of Ngaoundaye has reported one confirmed case of RVF in humans. The study area has a Sahelian climate, with a rainy season from March to June and from October to mid-December. Livestock production is characterized by a predominance of extensive farming systems, with significant herd movements. The area is also a host to transhumance animals from Cameroon and Chad.
2.2. Translated with Echantillon
Sera samples for the present study were collected during the rapid investigation and response mission to cases of Rift Valley Fever in CAR. A total of 239 animals sera were collected and recorded in the table below.
Table 1. number of samples taken.
Species
Females collected
Mâles collected
Total number of samples collected
Bovine
10
18
28
Goat
139
26
165
sheep
35
11
46
Total
184
55
239
2.3. Serological Tests
Ovine, caprine and bovine sera were tested using the competition ELISA method. The ID-VetScreen Rift Valley Fever Competition Multi-Species ELISA kit was used at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui.
2.4. Analyse Statistique
Overall prevalence was estimated by dividing the number of positive sera by the number of sera tested. Species-specific prevalence was estimated by dividing the number of positives (n) by the group size (N). All data were entered into Microsoft Office Excel 2013.
3. Results
3.1. RVF Prevalence
The results of this study were obtained from the sera of three domestic animal species (bovine, caprine and ovine). Thus, out of 239 sera, 28 came from cattle and 211 from small ruminants, including 46 from sheep and 165 from goats.
Of all the sera tested, two were positive for RVF, giving an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the two positive samples were found in cattle (females), for a seroprevalence of 7.14%. No positive samples were found in sheep or goats.
Table 2. RVF prevalence by species in CAR in 2025.
Species
Number of sera tested
No. of positive sera
Prevalence (%)
Bovine
28
2
7,14
Goat
165
0
0
sheep
46
0
0
3.2. Risk Factors
The risk factors for rift valley fever recorded in this study were:
1. Environmental conditions
Recent heavy rainfall in the town of Ngaoundaye favors the proliferation of mosquito vectors, hence a major risk factor. Existence of waterholes throughout the zone.
2. Lack of vaccination
The absence of Rift Valley Fever vaccination programs in the country increases the risk of outbreaks in animals. To date, no vaccination campaign has been carried out, despite the existence of a vaccine against this disease.
3. Transhumance
The town of Ngaoundaye is a transit area for transhumant herders, as it borders Cameroon and Chad. Transhumance favors the circulation of the virus and contamination of animals.
4. Consumption of Diseased Animal Products
The local population consumes milk, dairy products, meat or blood from animals regularly in the town, which was a major risk factor for exposure to Rift Valley Fever.
4. Discussion
The overall prevalence obtained (0.83%) is well below that reported by ADAMOU
[6]
ADAMOU HAMA M, ISSA IBRAHIM A, ALASSANE A, GAGARA H, BADA ALAMBEDJI R, 2019. Séroprévalence de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift chez les ruminants domestiques dans la région de Tahoua/Niger, Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 13(7): 3023-3031.
[6]
, which was 20.18%, and that of AKAKPO
[1]
Akakpo AJ, Saluzzo JF, Bada R, Bornarel P, Sarradin P., 1991. Enquête sérologique chez les petits ruminants au Niger. Bull. Soc. Path. Ex., 84(3): 217-224.
[1]
, which concerned only small ruminants (2.8%) in Niger. In addition, a prevalence of 5.53% was reported by Thiongane
[14]
Thiongane Y, Bada Alambédji R, Morou A, Lo MM, Mathiot C, Gonzalez JP, Akakpo AJ. 2004. La Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift enquête sérologique chez les ruminants domestiques dans la région du Fleuve. Revue Africaine de santé et Productions Animales, 2(1): 31-35.
[14]
in Niger. This difference can be explained by the fact that these studies were carried out in a context where there was no clinical case of RVF, the aim being to verify the presence and circulation or otherwise of the virus within the animal population in the town following the declaration made by the Ministry of Health and Population. In the present study, the outbreak occurred in an area bordering two countries (Cameroon and Chad), where there is no further movement of animals during cross-border transhumance. The difference in seroprevalence between large ruminants (7.14% in cattle) and small ruminants (0% in goats and 0% in sheep) has been reported in other studies
[9]
Lancelot R. 2009. Animaux sentinelles en milieu tropical: vers un système intégré de surveillance. Epidémiol Santé Anim., 56, 27-34.
[8]
El Hassane AB, Kane Y, El Arbi AS, Barry Y, Bernard C, Lancelot R, Cetre-Sossah C. 2014. L’épidémie de la fièvre de la vallé du Rift en 2012 en Mauritanie. Revue Africaine de Santé et Productions Animales, 12(3-4): 169-173.
[9, 8]
. The high prevalence in cattle can be explained by the fact that the bovine breed (adults over 5 years old) is sometimes subject to transhumance in search of pastures and watering holes, where they could be contaminated by mosquito bites, especially as we are in a pastoral zone par excellence. The virus can be transmitted to humans mainly through direct contact with infected animals (sheep, cattle, goats, camels), consumption of raw milk, handling of animal tissue during slaughtering or butchering, assistance with animal births, veterinary procedures or disposal of carcasses or fetuses
[3]
Aradaib IE, Maiy Abdallah MM, Ibrahim AA, Tamadur M. Abdalla, Sanaa A. Abdelaziz, Mohamed E. Ahmed, 2016. Une enquête sur la fièvre de la vallée du Rift et les facteurs de risque associés chez le chameau à une bosse (Camelus dromadaries) au Soudan. Irish Veterinary Journal, Volume 69, numéro d'article 6, (2015).
[3]
. Certain occupational groups such as breeders, farmers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians are therefore at greater risk of infection through the handling of meat and body fluids, and the consumption of raw milk
[2]
Al-Afaleq AI, Hussein MF, Al-Naeem AA, Housawi F, GKabati A, 2012. Étude séro-épidémiologique de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (FVR) chez les animaux en Arabie Saoudite. Trop Anim Santé Prod. 44: 1535–9.
[2]
. It can also be transmitted to animals through the bites of infected mosquitoes, at livestock markets and during transhumance.
5. Conclusion
The present study shows a higher prevalence of RVF in cattle (7.14%). The results of this study confirm the existence and circulation of the virus within the country, particularly in border and pastoral areas. This is why further work needs to be undertaken, in order to carry out an entomological study. In addition, a control plan based on the “One Heath” approach is needed to anticipate the rapid management of any new epizootic outbreak, and to revitalize the epidemiological surveillance network.
Abbreviations
RVF
Rift Valley Fever
Authors' Contributions
All authors contributed to this work. KOLEGA participated in data collection, serological analysis and statistical analysis. NDONIDE drafted (or prepared) the manuscript and made corrections after submission to the Journal. DAHOUROU contributed to the reading and correction of the article. KOLEGA and NDONIDE performed and supervised the serological analyses of the results. DAHOUROU supervised the activities of this work, contributed to the elaboration of the protocol and the correction of the manuscript.
Financing
Data collection for this study was carried out with the financial support of the food and agriculture organization of the united nations.
Data Availability Statement
The data for this study were collected in the field and are available in the study area and accessible through.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
[1]
Akakpo AJ, Saluzzo JF, Bada R, Bornarel P, Sarradin P., 1991. Enquête sérologique chez les petits ruminants au Niger. Bull. Soc. Path. Ex., 84(3): 217-224.
[2]
Al-Afaleq AI, Hussein MF, Al-Naeem AA, Housawi F, GKabati A, 2012. Étude séro-épidémiologique de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (FVR) chez les animaux en Arabie Saoudite. Trop Anim Santé Prod. 44: 1535–9.
[3]
Aradaib IE, Maiy Abdallah MM, Ibrahim AA, Tamadur M. Abdalla, Sanaa A. Abdelaziz, Mohamed E. Ahmed, 2016. Une enquête sur la fièvre de la vallée du Rift et les facteurs de risque associés chez le chameau à une bosse (Camelus dromadaries) au Soudan. Irish Veterinary Journal, Volume 69, numéro d'article 6, (2015).
[4]
Arsevska E, Lancelot R, Mamy E, Bezeid A, Cetre-Sossah C. 2016. Situation épidémiologique de la fièvre de la Vallée du Rift en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Nord. Bulletin épidémiologique, santé animale et alimentation., 74: 25–29.
[5]
Gerdes GH, 2004. Rift valley fever. Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics), 23(2), 613-623.
[6]
ADAMOU HAMA M, ISSA IBRAHIM A, ALASSANE A, GAGARA H, BADA ALAMBEDJI R, 2019. Séroprévalence de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift chez les ruminants domestiques dans la région de Tahoua/Niger, Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 13(7): 3023-3031.
[7]
El Mamy AB, Baba MO, Barry Y, Isselmou K, Dia ML, El Kory MOB, Diop M, Lo MM, Thiongane Y, Bengoumi M, Puech L, Plee L, Claes F De la Rocque S, Doumbia B. 2011. Unexpected Rift Valley fever outbreak, northern Mauritania. Emerg Infect Dis., 17(10): 1894-1896.
El Hassane AB, Kane Y, El Arbi AS, Barry Y, Bernard C, Lancelot R, Cetre-Sossah C. 2014. L’épidémie de la fièvre de la vallé du Rift en 2012 en Mauritanie. Revue Africaine de Santé et Productions Animales, 12(3-4): 169-173.
[9]
Lancelot R. 2009. Animaux sentinelles en milieu tropical: vers un système intégré de surveillance. Epidémiol Santé Anim., 56, 27-34.
[10]
Olive MM, Goodman SM, Reynes JM, 2012. The role of wild mammals in the maintenance of Rift Valley fever virus. Journal of wildlife diseases, 48(2), 241-266.
[11]
OMSA (2025). Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift - OMSA - Organisation mondiale de la santé animale.
Rich KM, Wanyoike F., 2010. Évaluation des impacts socio-économiques régionaux et nationaux de l'épidémie de fièvre de la vallée du Rift de 2007 au Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010; 83: 52–7.
[14]
Thiongane Y, Bada Alambédji R, Morou A, Lo MM, Mathiot C, Gonzalez JP, Akakpo AJ. 2004. La Fièvre de la Vallée du Rift enquête sérologique chez les ruminants domestiques dans la région du Fleuve. Revue Africaine de santé et Productions Animales, 2(1): 31-35.
[15]
Shopnil A, Rezaul I, Mominur R., 2023. Rift Valley fever (RVF): a re-emerging zoonotic disease, pathogenesis, epidemiology, current status, and future prospects – correspondence. International Journal of Surgery 109(3): pp. 587-588.
Ronald, K. G. E. G., Nicaise, N., Dieudonne, D. (2025). Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. American Journal of Health Research, 13(4), 206-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
Ronald, K. G. E. G.; Nicaise, N.; Dieudonne, D. Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. Am. J. Health Res.2025, 13(4), 206-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
Ronald KGEG, Nicaise N, Dieudonne D. Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. Am J Health Res. 2025;13(4):206-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11,
author = {Kolega Gbognifon Elfege Geovani Ronald and Ndonide Nicaise and Dahourou Dieudonne},
title = {Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025
},
journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {206-209},
doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20251304.11},
abstract = {Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonotic diseases in the Central African Republic monitored by human, animal, and environmental health services, but epidemiological data on this disease is currently limited or even non-existent in the country. This study was therefore conducted in the country to assess the prevalence of the disease in ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye, a town located in the prefecture of Lim-pendé, which borders the Republic of Cameroon (2 km) and Chad (10 km). To this end, 239 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 28), sheep (n = 46), and goats (n = 165). An analysis was carried out at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui using a competitive ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies against the FVR virus. The results obtained from the laboratory indicated an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the prevalence was 7.14% in cattle, while all samples from sheep and goats were negative for Rift Valley fever. These data show that Rift Valley fever virus is circulating silently among ruminants in the Ngaoundaye region and call for urgent measures for active surveillance of Rift Valley fever in animals by the country's veterinary services.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025
AU - Kolega Gbognifon Elfege Geovani Ronald
AU - Ndonide Nicaise
AU - Dahourou Dieudonne
Y1 - 2025/06/30
PY - 2025
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
DO - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
T2 - American Journal of Health Research
JF - American Journal of Health Research
JO - American Journal of Health Research
SP - 206
EP - 209
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-8796
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
AB - Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonotic diseases in the Central African Republic monitored by human, animal, and environmental health services, but epidemiological data on this disease is currently limited or even non-existent in the country. This study was therefore conducted in the country to assess the prevalence of the disease in ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye, a town located in the prefecture of Lim-pendé, which borders the Republic of Cameroon (2 km) and Chad (10 km). To this end, 239 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 28), sheep (n = 46), and goats (n = 165). An analysis was carried out at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui using a competitive ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies against the FVR virus. The results obtained from the laboratory indicated an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the prevalence was 7.14% in cattle, while all samples from sheep and goats were negative for Rift Valley fever. These data show that Rift Valley fever virus is circulating silently among ruminants in the Ngaoundaye region and call for urgent measures for active surveillance of Rift Valley fever in animals by the country's veterinary services.
VL - 13
IS - 4
ER -
Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Bangui, Central African Republic; University of Bangui, Higher Institute for Rural Development, M’baîki, Central African Republic
Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health, Directorate General of Veterinary Services, Bangui, Central African Republic; University of Bangui, Higher Institute for Rural Development, M’baîki, Central African Republic
Ronald, K. G. E. G., Nicaise, N., Dieudonne, D. (2025). Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. American Journal of Health Research, 13(4), 206-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
Ronald, K. G. E. G.; Nicaise, N.; Dieudonne, D. Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. Am. J. Health Res.2025, 13(4), 206-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
Ronald KGEG, Nicaise N, Dieudonne D. Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025. Am J Health Res. 2025;13(4):206-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11,
author = {Kolega Gbognifon Elfege Geovani Ronald and Ndonide Nicaise and Dahourou Dieudonne},
title = {Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025
},
journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {206-209},
doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20251304.11},
abstract = {Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonotic diseases in the Central African Republic monitored by human, animal, and environmental health services, but epidemiological data on this disease is currently limited or even non-existent in the country. This study was therefore conducted in the country to assess the prevalence of the disease in ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye, a town located in the prefecture of Lim-pendé, which borders the Republic of Cameroon (2 km) and Chad (10 km). To this end, 239 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 28), sheep (n = 46), and goats (n = 165). An analysis was carried out at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui using a competitive ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies against the FVR virus. The results obtained from the laboratory indicated an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the prevalence was 7.14% in cattle, while all samples from sheep and goats were negative for Rift Valley fever. These data show that Rift Valley fever virus is circulating silently among ruminants in the Ngaoundaye region and call for urgent measures for active surveillance of Rift Valley fever in animals by the country's veterinary services.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye in the Central African Republic in 2025
AU - Kolega Gbognifon Elfege Geovani Ronald
AU - Ndonide Nicaise
AU - Dahourou Dieudonne
Y1 - 2025/06/30
PY - 2025
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
DO - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
T2 - American Journal of Health Research
JF - American Journal of Health Research
JO - American Journal of Health Research
SP - 206
EP - 209
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-8796
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251304.11
AB - Rift Valley fever (RVF) is one of the five priority zoonotic diseases in the Central African Republic monitored by human, animal, and environmental health services, but epidemiological data on this disease is currently limited or even non-existent in the country. This study was therefore conducted in the country to assess the prevalence of the disease in ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep) in the sub-prefecture of Ngaoundaye, a town located in the prefecture of Lim-pendé, which borders the Republic of Cameroon (2 km) and Chad (10 km). To this end, 239 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 28), sheep (n = 46), and goats (n = 165). An analysis was carried out at the central veterinary laboratory in Bangui using a competitive ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies against the FVR virus. The results obtained from the laboratory indicated an overall prevalence of 0.83%. By species, the prevalence was 7.14% in cattle, while all samples from sheep and goats were negative for Rift Valley fever. These data show that Rift Valley fever virus is circulating silently among ruminants in the Ngaoundaye region and call for urgent measures for active surveillance of Rift Valley fever in animals by the country's veterinary services.
VL - 13
IS - 4
ER -
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