Human seroprevalence of rift valley fever in the Timbuktu region, Mali, 2021

A population-based study in the Timbuktu region, Mali, revealed a human seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever (RVF) at 10.7%, mirroring the 10% prevalence observed in cattle. This finding underscores the circulation of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) among humans across five districts, despite no prior reported epidemics. Using competitive ELISA techniques on 983 volunteers, researchers demonstrated significant exposure risks due to close human-animal contact. The study highlights the urgent need for strengthened public health strategies to mitigate potential future outbreaks in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DIARRA, I., TRAORE, A., AYHAN, N., THIRION, L., CISSOKO, M., ARAMA, S., SANKARE, M. H., THIERO, M., KOITA, B., DIAKITE, A., CISSE, A., MAIGA, O., & Lamballerie, X. d. (2025). Human seroprevalence of rift valley fever in the Timbuktu region, Mali, 2021. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 24(2), 266–273. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2025.24.2.0997