Bombali Virus in Mops condylurus Bat, Kenya

Abstract

Bombali virus (genus Ebolavirus) was identified in organs and excreta of an Angolan free-tailed bat (Mops condylurus) in Kenya. Complete genome analysis revealed 98% nucleotide sequence similarity to the prototype virus from Sierra Leone. No Ebola virus-specific RNA or antibodies were detected from febrile humans in the area who reported contact with bats.

Keywords: Angolan free-tailed bat; Bombali Ebola virus; Ebola virus; Kenya; Mops condylurus; bat; filovirus; viruses.

Figure 1

Locations of Bombali Ebola virus infection in Sierra Leone (gray shading at left; Bombali district in red) and Kenya (gray shading at right; Taita Hills area in green). Inset map shows collection site of the Bombali virus–positive bat (red dot) in Kenya, clinics in which human serum samples were collected (white squares), and the closest towns (black squares).

Figure 2

Phylogenetic tree of complete filovirus genomes (18,795–19,115 nt), including Bombali Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and now Kenya (19,026 nt; black dot). Representative sequences were retrieved from the Virus Pathogen Database and Analysis Resource and aligned with a MAFFT online server (http://mafft.cbrc.jp/alignment/software). The tree was built using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, using a general time reversible model of substitution with gamma-distributed rate variation among sites allowing the presence of invariable sites. Posterior probabilities are shown at the nodes. Scale bar indicates genetic distance.