scholarly journals First observation of Aedes albopictus in the Tshuapa province (Boende) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Marien ◽  
Nicolas Laurent ◽  
Nathalie Smitz ◽  
Sophie Gombeer

In May-June 2021, we detected Aedes albopictus adults near the central hospital in Boende, the capital city of the Tshuapa province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We identified the mosquitoes using morphological and molecular techniques (COI barcoding). This is the first report of this species in the DRC outside of Kinshasa and Kongo Central. Given the central location of Boende in the Congo Basin, our finding suggests that the vector might also have spread to other cities which are located upstream of the Congo River and its major tributaries. Because Aedes albopictus is an important vector for human arbovirus transmission, we highlight the need to investigate its distribution range and to update disease risk maps in Central Africa.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 272 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE COCQUYT ◽  
MYRIAM DE HAAN ◽  
EDIT LOKELE NDJOMBO

Eunotia rudis sp. nov. is described from material collected in acid rivers in an almost pristine tropical rain forest in the Congo Basin in Central Africa. The benthic diatom community was dominated by other Eunotia spp. and small naviculoid taxa. The morphological features of the new species are described and documented based on light and scanning electron microscopy investigations. Eunotia rudis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other taxa within the genus Eunotia by its typical slightly asymmetric valve shape with four dorsal undulations and the rough surface of the thick silica wall. In contrast to other Eunotia species, the number of dorsal undulations was constant in all observed populations. Differences between the new species and the related Eunotia garucisa and E. garucisa var. polydentula are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry César Ntumba Kayembe ◽  
Catherine Linard ◽  
Didier Bompangue ◽  
Jérémie Muwonga ◽  
Michel Moutschen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cholera outbreaks in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are thought to be primarily the result of westward spread of cases from the Great Lakes Region. However, other patterns of spatial spread in this part of the country should not be excluded. The aim of this study was to explore alternative routes of spatial spread in western DRC. Methods A literature review was conducted to reconstruct major outbreak expansions of cholera in western DRC since its introduction in 1973. We also collected data on cholera cases reported at the health zone (HZ) scale by the national surveillance system during 2000–2018. Based on data from routine disease surveillance, we identified two subperiods (week 45, 2012–week 42, 2013 and week 40, 2017–week 52, 2018) for which the retrospective space–time permutation scan statistic was implemented to detect spatiotemporal clusters of cholera cases and then to infer the spread patterns in western DRC other than that described in the literature. Results Beyond westward and cross-border spread in the West Congo Basin from the Great Lakes Region, other dynamics of cholera epidemic propagation were observed from neighboring countries, such as Angola, to non-endemic provinces of southwestern DRC. Space–time clustering analyses sequentially detected clusters of cholera cases from southwestern DRC to the northern provinces, demonstrating a downstream-to-upstream spread along the Congo River. Conclusions The spread of cholera in western DRC is not one-sided. There are other patterns of spatial spread, including a propagation from downstream to upstream areas along the Congo River, to be considered as preferential trajectories of cholera in western DRC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Mampeta Wabasa Salomon

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the protectionist conservatism influenced by colonialism, which exploited African countries for the prosperity of the colonizing countries, still has a high visibility in the Salonga National Park (PNS). If, in theory, the Central Africans seem to free themselves from the colonial powers on their land, in practice they are still there. The hostility of settlers who have become neo-colonists to the development of Central Africa remains intact, he adds (Ndinga, 2003). This reflects a "logic from above" that has disregarded local values. Yet, in the era of sustainable development and globalization, African protected areas appear to be essential tools for States to reposition themselves in a complex set of actors with the aim of capturing and using the new environmental rent (Giraut, Guyot, & Houssay-Holzschuch, 2003). This is a "bottom-up logic", placing people at the heart of all activities and aiming to reorganize their long-term relationships with the environment. From these two logics, a third "logic from the other side" emerges, reflecting a collective awareness of the fragility of the planet. The restoration of the rights of Africans in the various national frameworks constitutes a major challenge for the contemporary management of African protected areas. Because the protected areas inherited from the different colonial systems must accompany the change in management methods and the redefinition of their functions in order to better serve the local community in the long-term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 14-23
Author(s):  
Alejandro Quintanar ◽  
Patricia Barberá ◽  
Diosdado Nguema ◽  
Vicent Medjibe ◽  
Zoë A. Goodwin ◽  
...  

Here we publish a new species of forest tree of the genus Drypetes Vahl (Putranjivaceae), D. umbricola D. J. Harris & Quintanar, which has a wide distribution in Central Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo). It is known from 70 herbarium collections and additional sterile plot vouchers. A differential diagnosis, detailed morphological description, photographs, an illustration, and information about its habitat, distribution, and conservation status are provided.


Thorax ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 604-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Arigliani ◽  
Robert Kitenge ◽  
Luigi Castriotta ◽  
Pathy Ndjule ◽  
Vincenzo Barbato ◽  
...  

Lung function in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) living in sub-Saharan Africa is largely unknown. Anthropometry and spirometry were cross-sectionally evaluated in patients with SCA (HbSS) aged 6–18 years and in schoolchildren from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Global Lung Initiative 2012 spirometry reference values were used. A total of 112 patients and 377 controls were included. Twenty-six per cent of patients with SCA had spirometry findings suggestive of a restrictive pattern and 41% had a FEV1 z-score <5th percentile. Wasting, increasing age and female sex were independently associated with increased risk of restrictive spirometry pattern in patients with SCA. Longitudinal studies could clarify the prognostic meaning of these findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry K. Mata ◽  
Dhafer Mohammed M. Al Salah ◽  
Georgette N. Ngweme ◽  
Joel N. Konde ◽  
Crispin K. Mulaji ◽  
...  

Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
DRIES VAN DEN BROECK ◽  
ROBERT LÜCKING ◽  
DAMIEN ERTZ

Three new species of Graphidaceae are described as new to science from tropical Africa: Graphis aptrootiana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz and Redingeria desseiniana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and G. vandenboomiana Ertz, Lücking & Van den Broeck from Reunion. A key is presented to all known species of Redingeria. The lichenicolous fungus Etayoa trypethelii is mentioned as new to Central Africa.


PhytoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 107-125
Author(s):  
Christine Cocquyt ◽  
Edit Lokele Ndjombo ◽  
Simon Tutu Tsamemba ◽  
Hippolyte Nshimba Seya wa Malale

An overview of the diatom research in the DR Congo is given based on literature data starting in 1938 with the work of Zanon and excluding the East African Lakes as these were already discussed in previous papers. For each literature record the diatom genera mentioned are presented as well as all diatom taxa described from the Congo as new. In total, 106 new taxa were documented, of which Nitzschia with 40 taxa is far the most important genus followed by Navicula s.l. and Pinnularia and with 15 and 13 taxa respectively. Particular attention was paid to the local research of students found in unpublished theses at bachelor, licentiate, master and PhD level. Diatom records in these works are almost all restricted to genus level, although in the last decade an attempt to delimit species can be observed. This accompanies the renewed taxonomic interest in the Congo basin during the last decade. Renewed taxonomic interest can also be seen in the genera: the first period being situated during the lumping period, while more recent works follow the current taxonomic classification, for example Navicula s.l. versus Navicula, Cavinula, Craticula, Diadesmis, Geissleria, Humidophila, Luticola, etc.


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