Ecological Relationships between Arboviruses, Ectoparasites and Vertebrates in Ethiopia.
Abstract
Five topographically and ecologically diverse study sites that on the basis of human serological testing showed the highest antibody rates in Ethiopia were resurveyed in order to identify the natural vertebrate reservoirs and vectors of arboviruses infecting man. From fall 1969 until spring 1977, when personnel associated with NAMRU-5 were evacuated, over 80,000 animals were captured, 16,163 sera were obtained, 48,995 birds were banded for studies of population turnover and movements, and 4,946 vertebrate voucher specimens (3,195 birds, 971 bats, 372 other mammals and 408 reptiles and amphibians) and large numbers of ectoparasites (especially mosquitoes and ticks) were collected. Of 15,243 serological test results available (13,115 birds, 926 bats, 796 other mammals, 259 reptiles, and 147 amphibians), significant antibody levels were found in 2 species of Agama lizards, 45 species in 22 families of birds, 7 species of fruitbats, 1 insectivorous bat, 2 species of primates, the domestic cat, and 1 rodent; shrews warrant further study. Antibodies to the following viruses were involved: West Nile, Ntaya, Banzi (or Uganda S), Zika, Spondweni and Wesselsbron. Virus isolation, which had not been completed when the project ended, revealed 30 isolations from wild vertebrates including West Nile, dugbe, Arumowot, Abu Mina and Bunya viruses. Three strains remain unidentified and three others were abandoned in Ethiopia. Germiston virus was isolated from sentinel mice and Congo, Thogoto, dugbe and Jos viruses from ticks. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA059961
Entities
People
- George E. Watson
- John S. Ash
- Owen L. Wood
Organizations
- National Museum of Natural History