Project Number: 5410-32000-015-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2007
End Date: Jan 31, 2012

Objective:
The primary objective of this project is to expedite the evaluation and increase the availability of Rift Valley fever (RVF) veterinary diagnostic reagents and to develop a RVF reference veterinary sample archive.

Approach:
The aim of this project is to create RVF reference sample archives, enhance ongoing veterinary surveillance, evaluate existing and new RVF diagnostic test in Kenya. The collaborative project will also evaluate existing and newly developed diagnostic tests such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a recombinant antigen developed by mutual FAO/IAEA collaborators. K-DVS will archive veterinary diagnostic and surveillance samples collected and assayed using existing diagnostic technology as part of their ongoing projects. The USDA, APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), in collaboration with the US Army Medical Research Unit-Kenya (USAMRU-K) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) have collected and stored serum and tissue samples from wild rodents in Kenya. The ABADRL scientists will work with K-DVS scientists in Kenyan facilities to gain experience with existing diagnostics, perform the wild rodent sample analysis, and assist in the evaluation of existing and newly developed diagnostic tests. In addition, the CDC, International Emerging Infections Program (IEIP)-Kenya has an interest in wildlife RVF serology and has performed a wildlife sero-survey. The ABADRL, K-DVS and mutually agreed upon collaborating scientists, with the assistance of the USDA, APHIS, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH) will consolidate the information generated in this project with the existing data to initiate the development a comprehensive epidemiological understanding of RVF in Kenya.