Leptospirosis and Ebola virus infection in five gold-panning villages in northeastern Gabon

An exhaustive epidemiologic and serologic survey was carried out in five So ld-panning villages situated in northeastern Gabon to estimate the degree o f exposure of to leptospirosis and Ebola virus. The seroprevalence was 15.7 % for leptospirosis and 10.2% for Ebola virus. Sixty years after the last s eroepidemiologic survey of leptospirosis in Gabon, this study demonstrates the persistence of this infection among the endemic population and the need to consider it as a potential cause of hemorrhagic fever in Gabon. There w as no significant statistical correlation between the serologic status of p opulations exposed to both infectious agents, indicating the lack of common risk factors for these diseases.