title: An outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Northeastern Kenya, 1997-98.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Woods004@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Karpati
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grein
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaturuku
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muchiri
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunster
authors.forename: Alden
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Ali S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swanepoel
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bonmarin
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Bonnie L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Smoak
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Ksiazek
authors.forename: Ray R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ndikuyeze
authors.forename: Naphtali N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Agata
authors.forename: Clarence J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016851:Orthobunyavirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M