DISTRIBUTION OF RIFT-VALLEY FEVER AMONG CATTLE IN ZAMBIA

In the present study, 1,421 cattle in 32 herds within nine districts, which are important cattle-producing centers in the nine provinces of Zambia, were tested for Rift Valley fever by the indirect immunofluore scence assay. One hundred and forty-seven cattle (10.5%) in 28 herds ( 88.9%) in the nine districts tested were positive for Rift Valley feve r implying a country-wide distribution. In districts associated with f lood plains and/or ''dambos'' (low lying areas of perpetual flooding), high herd and individual positive rates (100% and > 10%, respectively ) were found, suggesting a significance of these features in the distr ibution of the disease.