Journal Article

High MERS-CoV seropositivity associated with camel herd profile, husbandry practices and household socio-demographic characteristics in Northern Kenya

Oyugi, J., Widdowson, M. A., Bodha, B., Ngere, I., Harcourt, J., Thornburg, N., Mwatondo, A., Munyua, P., Jaoko, W., Gachohi, J., Okotu, B., Muturi, M., Hunsperger, E., Osoro, E., Njenga, K.

2020

Overview

Despite high exposure to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the predictors for seropositivity in the context of husbandry practices for camels in Eastern Africa are not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to describe the camel herd profile and determine the factors associated with MERS-CoV seropositivity in Northern Kenya. We enrolled 29 camel-owning households and administered questionnaires to collect herd and household data. Serum samples collected from 493 randomly selected camels were tested for anti-MERS-CoV antibodies using a microneutralisation assay, and regression analysis used to correlate herd and household characteristics with camel seropositivity. Households reared camels (median = 23 camels and IQR 16–56), and at least one other livestock species in two distinct herds; a home herd kept near homesteads, and a range/fora herd that resided far from the homestead. The overall MERS-CoV IgG seropositivity was 76.3%, with no statistically significant difference between home and fora herds. Significant predictors for seropositivity (P ⩽ 0.05) included camels 6–10 years old (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.2), herds with ⩾25 camels (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4) and camels from Gabra community (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.2). These results suggest high levels of virus transmission among camels, with potential for human infection.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Adult / Age Factors / Animal husbandry / Animal Husbandry - methods / Animals / Antibodies / Antibodies, Neutralizing - blood / Antibodies, Viral - blood / Camelidae / Camels / Camelus / Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology / Coronavirus Infections - transmission / Coronaviruses / Correlation analysis / Cross-Sectional Studies / Educational Status / Family Characteristics / Female / Households / Humans / Immunoglobulin G / Kenya - epidemiology / Laboratories / Livestock / Male / Middle East respiratory syndrome / Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - immunology / Original Paper / Regression Analysis / Seroepidemiologic Studies / Socioeconomic Factors / Statistical analysis / Statistical methods / Surveys and Questionnaires / Transients and Migrants / Viruses / Zoonoses - epidemiology / Zoonoses - transmission