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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus
Published on: May 31, 2020
Zika Virus Circulates at Low Levels in Western and Coastal Kenya
Theodore A Gobillot1,2, Caroline Kikawa1, Dara A Lehman1,3
1Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Background:
Zika virus (ZIKV) was discovered over 70 years ago in East Africa, but little is known about its circulation and pathogenesis there.
Methods:
We screened 327 plasma samples collected 2-12 months after febrile illness in Western and coastal Kenya (1993-2016) for binding and neutralizing antibodies to distinguish ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV) responses, which we found were common in coastal Kenya.
Results:
Two cases had durable ZIKV-specific antibodies and 2 cases had ZIKV antibodies at similar levels as DENV antibodies.
Conclusions:
This suggests low-level ZIKV circulation in Kenya over 2 decades and sets a baseline for future surveillance efforts in East Africa.
