Evidence of inter-epidemic transmission of Rift Valley Fever virus circulation in Nigeria: a scoping review
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of major public health and veterinary importance in Africa, yet its inter-epidemic transmission dynamics and baseline endemicity in Nigeria remain insufficiently synthesized relative to classic outbreak-prone regions. This scoping review systematically synthesizes over six decades of evidence (1959–2024) on the epidemiology, prevalence, transmission dynamics, diagnostics, and control of RVFV in Nigeria. Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, 24 peer-reviewed primary articles were included (following comprehensive systematic screening across electronic databases and grey literature sources) across human, livestock, wildlife, and vector populations. The evidence indicates that RVFV in Nigeria represents a long-established endemic zoonosis sustained through silent, low-amplitude transmission rather than explosive epidemics. Serosurveys in domestic livestock demonstrated an overall seroprevalence ranging from 3.3% to 33.3% across regions and species (most study estimates clustering between 5 and 30%), with higher values in northern pastoral regions characterized by transhumance, wetlands, and cross-border animal movement. Human seroprevalence is consistently lower (< 20%) and largely confined to occupationally exposed groups, suggesting under-recognition of infection due to non-specific clinical presentation and limited routine diagnostics. Entomological data implicate key mosquito vectors (predominantly Culex species) alongside biting midges (Culicoides spp.) and evidence of wildlife exposure, supporting a complex, ecologically resilient transmission system that enables year-round circulation independent of extreme climatic events. Diagnostic invisibility, fragmented surveillance, and weak One Health integration remain major constraints, while documented control interventions are scarce. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, participatory epidemiology, and integrated One Health responses in other African countries highlight actionable opportunities for strengthening RVFV surveillance and control in Nigeria. This review underscores the urgent need for integrated, multi-sectoral surveillance and proactive control strategies to address the under-estimated burden of RVFV in Nigeria.
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BibTeX
@article{oyekan2026evidence,
title = {{Evidence of inter-epidemic transmission of Rift Valley Fever virus circulation in Nigeria: a scoping review}},
author = {Olumuyiwa Adediran Oyekan and Olanrewaju Eyitayo Igah and Judith Dizot Bakam and Oluyemi Rotimi Ogunmolawa and Yiltawe Simwal Wungak and Ojuolape Damilola Oyekan and David Odion Ehizibolo and Adeyinka Jeremy Adedeji and Hussaini Gulak Ularamu and Clement Adebajo Meseko},
journal = {BMC Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-29876-8},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1186/s12889-026-29876-8},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evidence of inter-epidemic transmission of Rift Valley Fever virus circulation in Nigeria: a scoping review
AU - Olumuyiwa Adediran Oyekan
AU - Olanrewaju Eyitayo Igah
AU - Judith Dizot Bakam
AU - Oluyemi Rotimi Ogunmolawa
AU - Yiltawe Simwal Wungak
AU - Ojuolape Damilola Oyekan
AU - David Odion Ehizibolo
AU - Adeyinka Jeremy Adedeji
AU - Hussaini Gulak Ularamu
AU - Clement Adebajo Meseko
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - BMC Public Health
DO - 10.1186/s12889-026-29876-8
UR - https://link.springer.com/10.1186/s12889-026-29876-8
AB - Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of major public health and veterinary importance in Africa, yet its inter-epidemic transmission dynamics and baseline endemicity in Nigeria remain insufficiently synthesized relative to classic outbreak-prone regions. This scoping review systematically synthesizes over six decades of evidence (1959–2024) on the epidemiology, prevalence, transmission dynamics, diagnostics, and control of RVFV in Nigeria. Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, 24 peer-reviewed primary articles were included (following comprehensive systematic screening across electronic databases and grey literature sources) across human, livestock, wildlife, and vector populations. The evidence indicates that RVFV in Nigeria represents a long-established endemic zoonosis sustained through silent, low-amplitude transmission rather than explosive epidemics. Serosurveys in domestic livestock demonstrated an overall seroprevalence ranging from 3.3% to 33.3% across regions and species (most study estimates clustering between 5 and 30%), with higher values in northern pastoral regions characterized by transhumance, wetlands, and cross-border animal movement. Human seroprevalence is consistently lower (< 20%) and largely confined to occupationally exposed groups, suggesting under-recognition of infection due to non-specific clinical presentation and limited routine diagnostics. Entomological data implicate key mosquito vectors (predominantly Culex species) alongside biting midges (Culicoides spp.) and evidence of wildlife exposure, supporting a complex, ecologically resilient transmission system that enables year-round circulation independent of extreme climatic events. Diagnostic invisibility, fragmented surveillance, and weak One Health integration remain major constraints, while documented control interventions are scarce. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, participatory epidemiology, and integrated One Health responses in other African countries highlight actionable opportunities for strengthening RVFV surveillance and control in Nigeria. This review underscores the urgent need for integrated, multi-sectoral surveillance and proactive control strategies to address the under-estimated burden of RVFV in Nigeria.
SN - 1471-2458
ER -