Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Livestock from Three Ecological Zones of Malawi

Abstract

The epidemiology of Rift Valley fever (RVF) is poorly understood in Malawi. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted (March–June 2020) to investigate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of RVF virus (RVFV) in cattle, goats, and sheep in three ecological zones of Malawi. A total of 1523 serum samples were tested for anti-RVFV IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was used to assess potential RVF risk factors. The overall seroprevalence was 17.14% (261/1523; 95% CI = 15.33–19.11) for individual livestock and 33.24% (120/361; 95% CI = 28.18–38.11) for the livestock herd. Seroprevalence was significantly high in sheep (25.68%, 95% CI = 19.31–33.26) compared with cattle (21.35%, 95% CI = 18.74–24.22) and goats (7.72%, 95% CI = 5.72–10.34), (p = 0.047). At the individual livestock level, the risk was elevated in female livestock (OR: 1.74, 95% CI = 1.08–12.82) (p = 0.016), while at the herd level, areas receiving approximately 1001–1500 mm of rainfall (OR: 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14–5.37) (p = 0.022), areas of rainfall amount greater than approximately 1600 mm (OR: 2.239, 95% CI = 1.07–8.82) (p = 0.023), and mixed species herds (OR: 10.410, 95% CI = 3.04–35.59) (p = 0.001), were significant risk factors. The detection of IgM antibodies confirmed active circulation of RVFV in Malawi. Therefore, monitoring of RVF in animals, humans, and vectors using a “One Health” approach, along with community sensitization among the high-risk populations, could help mitigate the threat posed by this zoonotic disease in Malawi.