Q Fever Risk Across a Dynamic, Heterogeneous Landscape in Laikipia County, Kenya
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Date
2014-09Author
DePuy, Walker
Benka, Valerie
Massey, Aimee
Deem, Sharon L
Kinnaird, Margaret
O’Brien, Timothy
Wanyoike, Salome
Njoka, Jesse
Butt, Bilal
Language
enMetadata
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Two hundred fourteen serosamples were collected from four livestock species across five ranches in Laikipia County, Kenya. Serological analysis for Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent for Q fever) showed a distinct seroprevalence gradient: the lowest in cattle, higher in sheep and goats, and the highest in camels. Laikipia-wide aerial counts show a recent increase in the camel population. One hundred fifty-five stakeholder interviews revealed concern among veterinary, medical, ranching, and conservation professionals about Q fever. Local pastoralists and persons employed as livestock keepers, in contrast, revealed no knowledge of the disease. This work raises questions about emerging Q fever risk in Laikipia County and offers a framework for further integrative disease research in East African mixed-use systems.
Citation
Short Communication EcoHealth September 2014, Volume 11, Issue 3, pp 429-433Publisher
University of Nairobi