Description and analysis of the cattle trade network in the Madagascar highlands: Potential role in the diffusion of Rift Valley fever virus

► The 2009-2010 cattle-level seroconversion rate was estimated at 7%. ► A specific practice of cattle barter, known as kapsile, was observed in addition to usual trade. ► The kapsile practice may be the support for inter-village RVFV circulation. ► The trade network is probably implicated in the introduction of RVFV to the area from other parts of Madagascar. ► Analyse suggests that after RVFV introduction, vector-based transmission may support a substantial part of the circulation.