Seroprevalence of Yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus at a community level in the Gambella Region, South West Ethiopia

What is it about?

The occurrence of vector-borne viruses in humans and animals is increasing. Some of the common vector-borne viruses include yellow fever(yf), chikunhunya(chik), and zika(zik) categorized under re-emerging as major public health concerns. In Gambella regional states there are no specific vector-borne viral infection-related studies so far conducted. Hence, this community-based seroprevalence survey of yf virus (yfv), chik virus (chikv), and zik virus (zikv) was conducted in two selected districts. This is a one-time study conducted in Lare and Itang districts with the objective of investigating the seroprevalence status of the above-mentioned virus infection. An antibody screening test (IgG) was made after blood samples collected from the study participants for the specific vector-borne viruses using a method known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) except the zikv-specific IgG antibody where Blockade-of-binding ELISA was used. We used statistical software for data analysis. Overall 150 individuals participated (96 males and 54 females, where their age ranges from 18 to 65 years) and provided blood samples. In this test, we screened 135, 90, and 150 samples where 2.9%, 15.6% and 27.3% were positive samples for IgG for, yfv, chikv, and zikv respectively. Among the individual seropositive for zikv, yfv and chikv, only six, one, and three had a history of residence outside the Gambella region respectively. People engaged in agro-pastoral activity were more affected by chikv than other occupations. People living in Lare district were found to be more affected by zikv. Overall this study indicated the occurrence of these viruses in the study area.

Featured Image

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The growing threat of re-emerging infectious diseases and the loose disease control, and movement pattern of the pastoralists and others for different socio-economic activities will increase the chance of introducing disease.