Rift Valley fever during rainy seasons, Madagascar, 2008 and 2009.

Soa Fy Andriamandimby (1) , Armand Eugène Randrianarivo-Solofoniaina (2) , Elisabeth M Jeanmaire (3) , Lisette Ravololomanana (2) , Lanto Tiana Razafimanantsoa (4) , Tsanta Rakotojoelinandrasana (1) , Josette Razainirina (1) , Jonathan Hoffmann (1) , Jean-Pierre Ravalohery (1) , Jean-Théophile Rafisandratantsoa (1) , Pierre E Rollin (5) , Jean-Marc Reynes (1)

1 Institut Pasteur de Madagascar
2 Ministère de la Santé Publique - Ministry of Public Health [Antananarivo, Madagascar]
3 Food and Agriculture Organization
4 Ministère de l'Agriculture, d'Elevage et de la Pêche
5 CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Atlanta]

During 2 successive rainy seasons, January 2008 through May 2008 and November 2008 through March 2009, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) caused outbreaks in Madagascar. Human and animal infections were confirmed on the northern and southern coasts and in the central highlands. Analysis of partial sequences from RVFV strains showed that all were similar to the strains circulating in Kenya during 2006-2007. A national cross-sectional serologic survey among slaughterhouse workers at high risk showed that RVFV circulation during the 2008 outbreaks included all of the Malagasy regions and that the virus has circulated in at least 92 of Madagascar's 111 districts. To better predict and respond to RVF outbreaks in Madagascar, further epidemiologic studies are needed, such as RVFV complete genome analysis, ruminant movement mapping, and surveillance implementation.

Domains: Microbiology and Parasitology

Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Armand Eugène Randrianarivo-Solofoniaina, Elisabeth M Jeanmaire, Lisette Ravololomanana, Lanto Tiana Razafimanantsoa, et al.. Rift Valley fever during rainy seasons, Madagascar, 2008 and 2009.. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2010, 16 (6), pp.963-70. ⟨10.3201/eid1606.091266⟩. ⟨pasteur-00595482⟩