[Arbovirus infections in Tunisia: new serological survey of small wild mammals].

Sera of 103 small wild mammals (rodents, insectivora, cheiroptera) trapped at the beginning of 1980 in different areas of Tunisia were studied for antibody against 15 arboviruses. In inhibition haemagglutination tests, positive reactions were found against Dengue type 2 (2.2%), Tahyna (18.4%), Arumowot (42.7%) and Sicilian sandfly fever (31%) viruses. No antibody was found for 8 tick-borne viruses. In comparison with previous sero-surveys, our results indicated a fall of West Nile virus activity and the emergence of Tahyna virus. The possibility that wild cycles involving small mammals and the two phleboviruses may exist in Tunisia is discussed.