Origin of imported SARS-CoV-2 strains in The Gambia identified from whole genome sequences

The SARS-CoV-2 disease, first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 has become a global pandemic and is causing an unprecedented burden on health care systems and the economy globally. While the travel history of index cases may suggest the origin of infection, phylogenetic analysis of isolated strains from these cases and contacts will increase the understanding and link between local transmission and other global populations. The objective of this analysis was to provide genomic data on the first six cases of SARS-CoV-2 in The Gambia and to determine the source of infection. This ultimately provide baseline data for subsequent local transmission and contribute genomic diversity information towards local and global data. Our analysis has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus identified in The Gambia are of European and Asian origin and sequenced data matched patients’ travel history. In addition, we were able to show that two COVID-19 positive cases travelling in the same flight had different strains of SARS-CoV-2. Although whole genome sequencing (WGS) data is still limited in sub-Saharan Africa, this approach has proven to be a highly sensitive, specific and confirmatory tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

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One year of SARS-CoV-2: Genomic characterization of COVID-19 outbreak in Qatar

10.1101/2021.05.19.21257433 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fatiha M. Benslimane ◽

Hebah A. AlKhatib ◽

Ola Al-Jamal ◽

Dana Albatesh ◽

Sonia Boughattas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

International Travel ◽

Genomic Diversity ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Genome Sequences ◽

Short Period ◽

National Response ◽

Genomic Characterization ◽

One Year ◽

Local Transmission

The state of Qatar has emerged as a major transit hub connecting all parts of the globe, making it as a hotspot for infectious disease introduction and providing an ideal setting to monitor the emergence and spread of variants. In this study, we report on 2634 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from infected patients in Qatar between March-2020 and March-2021, representing 1.5% of all positive cases in this period. Despite the restrictions on international travel, the viruses sampled from the populace of Qatar mirrored nearly the entire global population's genomic diversity with nine predominant viral lineages that were sustained by local transmission chains and the emergence of mutations that are likely to have originated in Qatar. We reported an increased number in the mutations and deletions in B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 lineages in a short period. This raises the imperative need to continue the ongoing genomic surveillance that has been an integral part of the national response to monitor SARS-CoV-2 profile and re-emergence in Qatar.

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Chronic care models and opportunities for improving health care practice and outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for systematic review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-57249/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Otieno ◽

Charles Agyemang ◽

Razak M. Gyasi ◽

Anthony K. Ngugi ◽

Catherine Kyobutungi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Care ◽

Chronic Care ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Care Models ◽

Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: The rising burden of chronic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where health care systems are least developed has led to recent calls for increased investment in chronic care models (CCM) appropriate for low-resource settings. In SSA, limited resources are often allocated to treating acute diseases thus management of chronic conditions is a major challenge for health care systems. A large diversity of CCM exist in the literature but evidence supporting their use has been derived from high income settings. This is the motivation for conducting a systematic review to identify the existing CCM and their relevance and applicability in SSA.Methods and analysis: All peer-reviewed published and grey literature on CCM will be included. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Global Health Cinahl, African Journals Online, Informit Online, and PsycINFO will be searched to identify relevant articles. OpenSIGLE will be reviewed for grey literature. The articles retrieved will be independently screened for inclusion by two independent investigators while a third reviewer will arbitrate the disagreements. An independent critical appraisal of retrieved studies will be performed using standardized critical appraisal checklists. The data will be extracted from the key elements of CCM. Outcome measures for the effectiveness of the models in the context of SSA will include any reported improvement to the health care service delivery or changes in the health outcomes of patients with chronic illnesses. The study findings will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA).Discussion: This systematic review is expected to generate crucial evidence on the applicability of CCM in SSA and unearth the CCM components that are suitable for different levels of health care delivery systems and the emerging needs of the people living with comorbidities and multimorbidities in SSA.Systematic review registration: This review is registered in PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews CRD42020187756.

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Volunteering in hospice and palliative care in Africa

10.1093/oso/9780198788270.003.0011 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fatia Kiyange

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

World Health ◽

World Health Assembly Resolution ◽

Palliative Care Teams ◽

Palliative Care Services ◽

Care Systems ◽

Hospice And Palliative Care

Volunteering in hospice and palliative care in Africa occurs in existing cultures of care for the sick by families and their communities. The high burden of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa further accelerated the development and involvement of volunteers in the delivery of hospice and palliative care services, as well as other health services. Similar to the Alma Ata Declaration which recognizes the importance of community members in the provision of primary health care, the World Health Assembly resolution on palliative care recognizes the role of volunteers in services. Volunteers are integral to palliative care teams and can help address the human resources crisis in health care systems in Africa. Various models for volunteering have emerged, each with unique characteristics. Different terminologies are also used to describe volunteering in hospice and palliative care, although the roles of volunteers are very similar.

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Road Safety Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Ghana

Journal of Advanced Transportation ◽

10.1155/2020/7047189 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Stephen T. Odonkor ◽

Hugues Mitsotsou-Makanga ◽

Emmanuel Nene Dei

Keyword(s):

Road Safety ◽

Policy Development ◽

Socioeconomic Development ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

National Policy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Safety Issues ◽

Care Systems ◽

The Government

The importance of road safety in the developmental agenda of a country cannot be overemphasized. It is essential for effective socioeconomic development. However, several countries in the developing world are confronted by several challenges relating to road safety, which are inadequately investigated. These challenges further aggravate the already heavily burdened health-care systems. The aim of this study is, therefore, to determine and analyse road safety issues in Ghana aimed at contributing to national policy development, stakeholder engagements, and public safety education campaigns on road traffic collision. A qualitative study by one-on-one interviews with individuals (n = 97) in road safety leadership positions was performed from November 2018 to February 2019. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using a constant comparative methodology approach facilitated by Atlas.ti 8.0 software. Important road safety challenges that were identified by the respondents were categorized into six thematic areas, namely, institutional, executional, managerial and operational, attitudinal and behavioural, research, and financial and investment challenges. We recommend that the government and stakeholders alike should tackle these challenges by building a collaborative environment where everyone is involved in the process of developing and implementing strategies aimed at overcoming these challenges as they arise. There is also the need to address the epidemic carnage of road traffic injuries, many of which are preventable since they arise from human actions and inactions.

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Expected differential impact of migration on communicable diseases across the EU

Weekly releases (1997–2007) ◽

10.2807/esw.07.11.02180-en ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Asylum Seekers ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Hiv Infections ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Differential Impact ◽

Host Countries ◽

Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Major Factors ◽

The Eu

Two major factors that will affect the pattern of infectious diseases in European countries over the coming decade are the intensifying HIV pandemic (1) and the substantial changes in migration from Sub-Saharan Africa (2). Although migrants and asylum seekers tend to have a better health profile than the rest of the population in their country of origin, their prevalence of current HIV infections and past Tuberculosis and hepatitis B infections will pose a challenge to the prevention and health care systems of host countries. Examination of the latest migration statistics illustrates the differential impact that can be expected between the various countries of the EU.

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Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Rwanda reveals the importance of incoming travelers on lineage diversity

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-25985-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yvan Butera ◽

Enatha Mukantwari ◽

Maria Artesi ◽

Jeanne d’arc Umuringa ◽

Áine Niamh O’Toole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genomic Sequencing ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Genome Sequences ◽

Durable Response ◽

Travel History ◽

Transmission Rates ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Local Transmission ◽

Lineage Diversity

AbstractCOVID-19 transmission rates are often linked to locally circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Here we describe 203 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences analyzed from strains circulating in Rwanda from May 2020 to February 2021. In particular, we report a shift in variant distribution towards the emerging sub-lineage A.23.1 that is currently dominating. Furthermore, we report the detection of the first Rwandan cases of the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern among incoming travelers tested at Kigali International Airport. To assess the importance of viral introductions from neighboring countries and local transmission, we exploit available individual travel history metadata to inform spatio-temporal phylogeographic inference, enabling us to take into account infections from unsampled locations. We uncover an important role of neighboring countries in seeding introductions into Rwanda, including those from which no genomic sequences were available. Our results highlight the importance of systematic genomic surveillance and regional collaborations for a durable response towards combating COVID-19.

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Global Burden of Cervical Cancer

10.5772/intechopen.98349 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alemnju Venceslas Tarnju

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Concern ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Early Screening ◽

Screening Process ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has caused infections and malignancies worldwide among which is cervical cancer. In 2004 WHO reported that cervical cancer was the most common cause of cancer deaths among women in developing countries. Globally, 570,000 cases per year in women are attributed to HPV, which is about 8.6% of all occurring cancers. Female mortality is estimated at 250,000 with 80% of incidence and mortality rates occurring in Latin America and Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Cervical cancer demographic variation in 3rd world countries can be attributed to inadequate health care systems and screening process. As one of the most preventable cancers, early screening and vaccination have shown to limit the late stage of the disease. With present studies estimating worldwide incidence at 4.5% a year. The need for preventive measures to halt the progression of a global public health concern like cancer deaths in women cannot be overemphasized.

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Trust matters: A narrative literature review of the role of trust in health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa

Global Public Health ◽

10.1080/17441692.2015.1019538 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1046-1059 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Lise Rosendal Østergaard

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Literature Review ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Care Systems ◽

Narrative Literature ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Narrative Literature Review

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Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus from Humans to Green Monkeys in The Gambia as Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01496-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (19) ◽

pp. 5910-5917 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Madikay Senghore ◽

Sion C. Bayliss ◽

Brenda A. Kwambana-Adams ◽

Ebenezer Foster-Nyarko ◽

Jainaba Manneh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Whole Genome Sequencing ◽

Genome Sequencing ◽

Host Adaptation ◽

The Gambia ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Genetic Changes ◽

Content Type ◽

Green Monkeys

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis an important pathogen of humans and animals. We genome sequenced 90S. aureusisolates from The Gambia: 46 isolates from invasive disease in humans, 13 human carriage isolates, and 31 monkey carriage isolates. We inferred multiple anthroponotic transmissions ofS. aureusfrom humans to green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in The Gambia over different time scales. We report a novel monkey-associated clade ofS. aureusthat emerged from a human-to-monkey switch estimated to have occurred 2,700 years ago. Adaptation of this lineage to the monkey host is accompanied by the loss of phage-carrying genes that are known to play an important role in human colonization. We also report recent anthroponotic transmission of the well-characterized human lineages sequence type 6 (ST6) and ST15 to monkeys, probably because of steadily increasing encroachment of humans into the monkeys' habitat. Although we have found no evidence of transmission ofS. aureusfrom monkeys to humans, as the two species come into ever-closer contact, there might be an increased risk of additional interspecies exchanges of potential pathogens.IMPORTANCEThe population structures ofStaphylococcus aureusin humans and monkeys in sub-Saharan Africa have been previously described using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). However, these data lack the power to accurately infer details regarding the origin and maintenance of new adaptive lineages. Here, we describe the use of whole-genome sequencing to detect transmission ofS. aureusbetween humans and nonhuman primates and to document the genetic changes accompanying host adaptation. We note that human-to-monkey switches tend to be more common than the reverse and that a novel monkey-associated clade is likely to have emerged from such a switch approximately 2,700 years ago. Moreover, analysis of the accessory genome provides important clues as to the genetic changes underpinning host adaptation and, in particular, shows that human-to-monkey switches tend to be associated with the loss of genes known to confer adaptation to the human host.

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