Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Virus neutralization Test (VNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Seroneutralisation Test (SNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

Genetic assessment of african swine fever isolates involved in outbreaks in the Democratic Republic Of Congo between 2005 and 2012 reveals co-circulation of p72 genotypes I, IX and XIV, including 19 variants

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease of domestic pigs. It is a socioeconomically important disease, initially described from Kenya, but subsequently reported in most Sub-Saharan countries. ASF spread to Europe, South America and the Caribbean through multiple introductions which were initially eradicated—except for Sardinia—followed by re-introduction into Europe in 2007. In this study of ASF within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 62 domestic pig samples, collected between 2005-2012, were examined for viral DNA and sequencing at multiple loci: C-terminus of the B646L gene (p72 protein), central hypervariable region (CVR) of the B602L gene, and the E183L gene (p54 protein). Phylogenetic analyses identified three circulating genotypes: I (64.5% of samples), IX (32.3%), and XIV (3.2%). This is the first evidence of genotypes IX and XIV within this country. Examination of the CVR revealed high levels of intra-genotypic variation, with 19 identified variants. © 2017 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.WT075813/C/04/

Local communities demand for food tree species and the potentialities of their landscapes in two ecological zones of Burkina Faso.

We examined demand and supply of Food Tree Species (FTS) products in Burkina Faso. The hypotheses were: 1) demand for FTS products by local communities exceeds what can be sustainably extracted, and 2) local communities of the Sudanian zone have access to more diverse FTS products compared to Sahelian zone. Surveys were conducted in 300 households and 360 quadrats in landscapes surrounding 6 villages to determine the diversity, richness and availability of FTS.The results indicate that local communities tend to exploit FTS which are rare to find or absent in the landscape surrounding their village. While the range of FTS largely exploited tends to coincide across the two ecological zones, the diversity and density of the preferred FTS are discordant between the two zones. The results of the present study further support the need for conservation and restoration strategies to sustain the local communities demand for FTS products.201

Capripoxvirus G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor: a host-range gene suitable for virus animal origin discrimination

International audienc

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus outbreak among Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) in Namibia, 2022

In January 2022, significant mortality was observed among Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) on the west coast of Namibia. Samples collected were shown to be positive for H5N1 avian influenza by multiplex RT-qPCR. Full genome analysis and phylogenetic analysis identified the viruses as belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b and that it clustered with similar viruses identified in Lesotho and Botswana in 2021. This is the first genomic characterization of H5N1 viruses in Namibia and has important implications for poultry disease management and wildlife conservation in the region