Arbovirus transmission networks in Kenya

Arboviruses constitute an emerging public health threat, some of which are associated with human disease ranging from mild febrile illness to encephalitis and even death. Surprisingly, most of these infections are poorly diagnosed in Africa, which obscures assessment of their potential impact on public health or burden of associated disease. Building on findings of the discovery of the novel sandfly-borne Phlebovirus in Kenya, the present study in collaboration with partners from Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and University of Bonn (Germany), seeks to monitor the spectrum of causative arboviruses, prevalence, and their social impact in Kenya. Specifically, through a comparative approach, detection of arbovirus activity in diverse disease vectors and exposure risk to animal reservoirs (livestock and rodent) and humans in three regions of Kenya along a gradient of rural, urban and livestock/human/wildlife interface will be undertaking over the next three years (2017-2020). Pilot-assessment of the direct awareness of arbovirus infections in communities, as well as perceived and non-perceived social impact will be conducted.