Zoonotic arboviruses and associated risk factors in donkeys from northeastern Algeria

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), and several zoonotic flaviviruses represent an emerging threat to animal and human health. In Algeria, particularly in the northern regions, data on the circulation of these viruses remain limited, especially for RVFV and CCHFV. In this context, we aimed to assess the seroprevalence of these arboviruses among donkeys across three provinces in northeastern Algeria and to identify factors associated with seropositivity. Between 2019 and 2024, 183 serum samples were collected and analyzed by ELISA. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate potential factors associated with CCHFV and flavivirus seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence was 31.7% (95% CI: 25.0-39.0) for CCHFV, 2.2% (95% CI: 0.6-5.5) for RVFV, and 18.0% (95% CI: 12.8-24.4) for flaviviruses. In the multivariable analyses, age group was significantly associated with both CCHFV and flavivirus seropositivity, while geographic origin, sampling season, and donkey mobility were independently associated only with CCHFV seropositivity. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first serological data documenting exposure of donkeys to CCHFV and RVFV in Algeria. These findings provide evidence of prior exposure to these arboviruses in the study area and highlight the importance of integrating donkeys into epidemiological surveillance programs. Further large-scale studies encompassing vectors, animals, and humans are needed to better characterize the epidemiology of these zoonotic pathogens and assess their potential public health impact in Algeria.