[Kisemayo virus, a representative of the Bhanja antigenic group]

Previously unknown Kisemayo virus first isolated in 1974 from Rhipicephalus pulchellus ticks collected in Somali shows antigenic relationship with Bhanja virus in HI tests, however, is readily differentiated from the latter in this test. No cross relations between these agents are demonstrable in CFT, agar gel diffusion and precipitation test or neutralization test. These results suggest formation of a new antigenic group including Bhanja and Kisemayo viruses among arboviruses.