Incidence of arbovirus antibodies in bovine, ovine and human sera collected in Eastern Sicily.

The incidence of antibodies against 9 arboviruses in ovine, bovine and human sera collected in Eastern Sicily was studied. A high incidence of antibodies was found especially against Bhanja virus in all sera and against Sandfly fever Sicilian in ovine sera only. The incidence was higher than that reported in 1971 for the western part of Sicily. These findings suggest an increase in the circulation of arboviruses in this area; the causes are briefly discussed.