Serological surveillance studies confirm the Rift Valley fever virus free status in South Korea

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2015 Oct;47(7):1427-30. doi: 10.1007/s11250-015-0858-8. Epub 2015 May 30.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants. This disease causes abortions in pregnant animals, and it has a high mortality rate in newborn animals. Recently, a Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) outbreak in the Arabian Peninsula increased its potential spread to new regions worldwide. In non-endemic or disease-free countries, early detection and surveillance are important for preventing the introduction of RVFV. In this study, a serological surveillance was conducted to detect antibodies against RVFV. A total of 2382 serum samples from goats and cattle were randomly collected from nine areas in South Korea from 2011 to 2013. These samples were tested for antibodies against RVFV, using commercial ELISA kits. None of the goats and cattle were positive for antibodies against RVFV. This finding suggests that this disease is not present in South Korea, and furthermore presents the evidence of the RVFV-free status of this country.

Keywords: ELISA; Rift Valley fever; South Korea; Surveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / blood
  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Cattle
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Goats
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Rift Valley Fever / blood
  • Rift Valley Fever / epidemiology*
  • Rift Valley Fever / prevention & control
  • Rift Valley fever virus / immunology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral