Molluscum contagiosum and herpes simplex in Maasai pastoralists; refeeding activation of virus infection following famine?

An epidemic of molluscum contagiosum and oro-genital herpes simplex was observed in Maasai pastoralists of the Rift Valley. It coincided with a period of refeeding following famine, when the relief diet was different from normal milk fare. We propose that refeeding may be an important mechanism for activation of certain viral infections previously suppressed by famine.