Endemicity of Coxiella burnetii infection among people and their livestock in pastoral communities in northern Kenya

BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: This study therefore estimated the seroprevalence of Q-fever and associated risk factors of exposure in people and their livestock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in pastoralist communities in Marsabit County in northern Kenya. A total of 1,074 women and 225 children were enrolled and provided blood samples for Q-fever testing. Additionally, 1,876 goats, 322 sheep and 189 camels from the same households were sampled. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect individual- and household/herd-level data. Indirect IgG ELISA kits were used to test the samples. RESULTS: Household-level seropositivity was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2-15.3]; differences in seropositivity levels among women and children were statistically insignificant ( CONCLUSION: The one health approach used in this study revealed that Q-fever is endemic in this setting. Longitudinal studies of Q-fever burden and risk factors simultaneously assessed in human and animal populations as well as the socioeconomic impacts of the disease and further explore the role of environmental factors in Q-fever epidemiology are required. Such evidence may form the basis for designing Q-fever prevention and control strategies.