Seroprevalence of Rift Valley Fever Viruses Antibodies in Domestic Livestock in the Tahoua Region of Niger

Authors

  • Mireille Catherine Kadja Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
  • Karimou Hamidou Ibrahim Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
  • Edmond Onidje Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture), Ibadan, Nigeria
  • Souahibou Sourokou Sabi Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal
  • Amadou Yahaya Mahamane Agence De Développement Du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge (Enabel), Niamey, Niger
  • Haladou Gagara Laboratoire Central de l’Élevage (LABOCEL), Niamey, Niger
  • Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Rianatou Bada Alambedji Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires, Dakar, Sénégal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12834/VetIt.3743.34676.3

Keywords:

Rift valley fever, seroprevalence, Livestock, Niger

Abstract

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) remains a significant public health and economic concern in Niger, particularly in the Tahoua region. This study aimed to update seroprevalence estimates of Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) and identify high-risk areas and animal populations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2024, during which 615 domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, and camels) were sampled and tested for RVFV-specific antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The overall RVFV seroprevalence in the Tahoua region was 11.87% (±2.55%). Camels exhibited the highest seroprevalence (36.56%), followed by cattle (17.69%), while small ruminants showed much lower rates: 3.55% in goats and 3.37% in sheep. Significant geographic heterogeneity was observed, with the highest prevalence recorded in Birni N'Konni (30.53%, p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in seroprevalence were found by sex (p = 0.909) or age (p = 0.876), although adults and females tended to have slightly higher rates. These findings confirm ongoing RVFV circulation in the region and identify camels as the most affected species. The results underscore the need for enhanced, species-specific surveillance, targeted vaccination campaigns, and vector control strategies in high-risk areas to prevent future outbreaks and protect both animal and human health.

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Published

2025-09-02

How to Cite

Kadja, M. C., Hamidou Ibrahim, K., Onidje, E. ., Sourokou Sabi, S. ., Yahaya Mahamane, A., Gagara, H. ., … Bada Alambedji, R. . (2025). Seroprevalence of Rift Valley Fever Viruses Antibodies in Domestic Livestock in the Tahoua Region of Niger. Veterinaria Italiana, 61(3). https://doi.org/10.12834/VetIt.3743.34676.3

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Paper

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mireille Catherine Kadja, Karimou Hamidou Ibrahim, Edmond Onidje, Souahibou Sourokou Sabi, Amadou Yahaya Mahamane, Haladou Gagara, Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe, Rianatou Bada Alambedji

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