A Serological Survey of Akabane Virus Infection in Cattle in Sudan

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in ten states in Sudan to determine seroprevalence and to assess risk factors associated with Akabane virus (AKAV) infection in dairy herds. Serum samples were collected from a total of 361 dairy cattle and tested for antibodies against AKAV using ELISA. The prevalence rates of AKAV antibodies in cattle varied between 69.6% in Khartoum state and 3.3% in Sennar State with an overall prevalence rate of 29.4%. The prevalence rates of AKAV antibodies were significantly associated with breed being high in crossbred (39.9%; ); female sex (33%; ), and animals in the age group of 2-3 years old (45.3%; ). Akabane virus antibodies prevalence was also highly associated with locality ( ); season being high in winter season (58.1%; ); and animals raised under intensive management system (37%; ). Among 68 cases suffering from reproductive (abortion and infertility) problems the prevalence rate of AKAV antibodies in animals with infertility problem (76.2%; ) was significantly higher than in animals with abortion (48.9%). The study revealed that AKAV infection is highly prevalent in dairy cattle in Sudan and this calls for control strategy to be implemented. 1. Introduction Akabane virus (AKAV) is an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus in the family Bunyaviridae. It causes epizootic and sporadic outbreaks of abortions, premature births, stillbirths, and congenital abnormalities characterized by arthrogryposis, hydranencephaly, or microanencephaly in cattle, sheep, and goats [1]. The virus is transmitted primarily by biting midges of Culicoides species [2]. AKAV is widely distributed in the tropical and temperate zones in Australia [3, 4], Southeast Asia [5], East Asia [6, 7], the Middle East [8], and Africa [9]. AKAV infection of adult cattle causes a transient viraemia without obvious clinical signs, while infection of pregnant cattle often causes fetal damage resulting in abortion, stillbirth, or various congenital abnormalities [10]. During 1972 to 1975, this disease had led to the birth of more than 42,000 abnormal calves in Japan, causing significant economic loss in cattle industry [6, 11]. Subsequently, major outbreaks resulting in congenital defects in ruminants caused by AKAV were reported from Israel, Australia, Taiwan, Korea, and Turkey [7, 10, 12–15]. In Sudan, AKAV infection was recognized based on serological evidence in sheep, goats, and cattle in various ecological zones of the country [16]. The present study aimed at investigating the current situation of AKAV infection in Sudan as a