Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Sheep in East Nile Locality-Khartoum State, Sudan

Rift Valley Fever is an acute, mosquito-borne viral disease that causes a significant global threat to humans and livestock. This disease holds great importance in terms of its impact on agriculture and public health in African and Middle Eastern countries. RVF primarily affects domestic and wild ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. RVF closely linked to heavy rainfall, floods, and the presence of mosquito species. Recently, the RVF has become endemic in African continent including Sudan. A Cross-section study was conducted during June 2022 to June 2024. A total of 150 of samples were examined using competitive EALISA test to demonstrate the sera-prevalence of RVFIgG immunoglobulins in sheep’s serum, in eastern Nile locality - Khartoum State, Sudan. RVFV seropositivity was recorded in 3 out of 150 samples. In addition, the overall prevalence was found 0.02%. Surprisingly, body condition was the only associated risk factor with Rift Valley Fever in the Study area using Univariate analysis (P-value =.009) and (X2: 6.921). Other factors Such as animals site, Age, Sex, Breed, Presence of mosquito, grassing system, herd size, mortality in kids, and abortion in sheep were not found significantly associated with Rift Valley Fever. Finally, Rift Valley Fever needs an epidemiological study to understand this disease incidence, prevalence and the effective control methods and the best prevention measures that should be implemented including one heath approach.