- Steffen, Imke;
- Lu, Kai;
- Yamamoto, Lauren K;
- Hoff, Nicole A;
- Mulembakani, Prime;
- Wemakoy, Emile O;
- Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean-Jacques;
- Ndembi, Nicaise;
- Brennan, Catherine A;
- Hackett, John;
- Stramer, Susan L;
- Switzer, William M;
- Saragosti, Sentob;
- Mbensa, Guy O;
- Laperche, Syria;
- Rimoin, Anne W;
- Simmons, Graham
We conducted a serologic survey of 2,430 serum samples collected during 1997-2012 for various studies to determine the prevalence of the hemorrhagic fever virus Ebola virus (EBOV) in equatorial Africa. We screened serum samples for neutralizing antibodies by using a pseudotype microneutralization assay and a newly developed luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay. Specimens seroreactive for EBOV were confirmed by using an ELISA. Our results suggest a serologic prevalence of 2%-3.5% in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have reported outbreaks of infection with EBOV. In addition we detected a seroprevalence of 1.3% in southern Cameroon, which indicated a low risk for exposure in this region.