title: A 3-year serological and virological cattle follow-up in Madagascar highlands suggests a non-classical transmission route of Rift Valley fever virus.
abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne infection of livestock and human which causes a potentially severe disease. In 2008-2009, a RVF outbreak occurred in a temperate and mountainous area located on the highlands of Madagascar. A three-year cattle follow-up (2009-2011) was conducted in a pilot area of this highland. A seroprevalence rate of 28% was estimated in 2009 and a seroconversion rate of 7% in 2009-2010. A third cross-sectional survey showed a seroconversion rate of 14% in 2010-2011. In 2011 the longitudinal study suggested a RVFV circulation during the year. In this area where vectors density is low and cattle exchanges are linked to the virus local spread, we raise hypotheses that may explain the local persistence of the virus.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Research in Agriculture and Development (CIRAD), Montpellier, France; French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Epidemiology Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France; National Research Center for Rural Development ? Veterinary Department (FOFIFA-DRZV), Antananarivo, Madagascar; French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Virology Unit, Laboratory of Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Gaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolas
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: Tafika Tojofaniry
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Rakotoarimanana
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lacote
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marianneau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000821:virology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058751:Livestock / Q000821:virology; D008270:Madagascar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies