Serological Detection And Risk Factors Of Akabane Virus In Goats From Selected Farms In Kelantan, Malaysia

The Akabane virus, a member of the Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family, belongs to the Simbu serogroup and is classified as an arbovirus. It primarily replicates in blood-feeding arthropods and is transmitted through the bites of biting midges. The virus is known to infect a diverse range of domestic and wild ruminants, with symptomatic infections observed in cattle, goats, sheep and swine. This thesis presents the serological detection of Akabane virus (AKAV) antibodies among goats in Kelantan, Malaysia, to evaluate the occurrence and associated risk factors of AKAV infection within the goat population. Some studies on the AKAV, including its detection, genetic analysis and case reports, have been conducted across Asia, particularly in countries like China, Japan and Indonesia, indicating that the virus has spread into Southeast Asia. However, no prevalence studies have been conducted on this virus in livestock animals in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the presence of AKAV infection in serum samples from goats in selected districts of Kelantan, Malaysia and to determine the seroprevalence of AKAV antibody titers. Forty (n=40) goats were randomly selected from farms in Kota Bharu and Bachok districts and screened for AKAV antibodies using a competitive ELISA assay. Blood samples were collected via the jugular vein, processed and analyzed for antibody detection. The results showed that only two goats from Bachok tested positive for AKAV antibodies, indicating a district-specific prevalence of 8.7 %, while no positive cases were identified in Kota Bharu. The overall prevalence across both districts was 5.0 %, suggesting a low-level presence of the virus in Kelantan’s goat population. Risk factors including sex, age, farm management practices and vector control were hypothesized to influence AKAV infection rates, highlighting the need for further research to understand these associations better. This study underscores the potential risk of AKAV introduction and circulation within Malaysian goat populations due to regional livestock importation and vector species in tropical climates.
Keywords: Akabane virus, Akabane disease, District-specific prevalence, competitive ELISA.