scholarly journals W135 invasive meningococcal infections imported from Sub-Saharan Africa to France, January to April 2012

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parent du Châtelet ◽  
P Barboza ◽  
M K Taha
Keyword(s):  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Meningococcal Infection ◽  
Meningococcal Infections ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Epidemic Season ◽  
Meningitis Belt ◽  
Sub Saharan

From January to April 2012, 16 cases of W135 invasive meningococcal infection were reported in France. Of these, eight were linked to a recent travel history to Sub-Saharan Africa. These cases were reported in France concomitantly with the meningitis epidemic season in Sub-Saharan Africa. Considering the high number of travellers between France and West-African countries belonging to the so-called meningitis belt, the French recommendations for travellers stress the importance of vaccination before travelling to these countries.

scholarly journals The genomic epidemiology of multi-drug resistant nontyphoidal Salmonella causing invasive disease in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se Eun Park ◽  
Duy Thanh Pham ◽  
Gi Deok Pak ◽  
Ursula Panzner ◽  
Ligia Maria Cruz Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Gyra Gene ◽  
Multi Centre Study ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Background: Invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is one of the leading causes of bacteraemia in sub-Saharan Africa. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) and further resistance to third generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones have emerged in multiple iNTS serotypes. Molecular epidemiological investigations of nontyphoidal Salmonella are needed to better understand the genetic characteristics and transmission dynamics associated with major MDR iNTS serotypes across the continent. Methods: A total of 166 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates causing invasive disease were collected from a multi-centre study in eight African countries between 2010 and 2014, and whole-genome sequenced to investigate the geographical distribution, antimicrobial genetic determinants and population structure of iNTS serotypes-genotypes. Phylogeographical reconstruction was further conducted in context of the existing genomic framework of iNTS serotypes Typhimurium and Enteritidis. Population-based incidence of MDR-iNTS disease was also estimated. Results: Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) sequence-type (ST) 313 and Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serotype Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) ST11 were predominant, and both exhibited high frequencies of MDR. Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serotype Dublin (S. Dublin) ST10 emerged in West Africa. Mutations in the gyrA gene were identified in S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in Ghana; and ST313 carrying blaCTX-M-15 was found in Kenya. Inter-country transmission of MDR ST313 lineage II and the West African Clade of MDR ST11 between Ghana and neighbouring countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria were evident. The incidence of MDR-iNTS disease exceeded 100/100,000-person years-of-observation (PYO) in children aged <5 years in several West African countries. Conclusions: Multiple MDR iNTS serotypes-sequence types, predominantly S. Typhimurium ST313 and S. Enteritidis ST11, are co-circulating in sub-Saharan Africa with evidence of transmission between West African countries. The development of safe and effective iNTS vaccines coupled with appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and adequate epidemiological monitoring are essential to limit the impact of these pathogens in Africa.

scholarly journals Bushmeat consumption in large urban centres in West Africa

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 731-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Emmanuel M. Hema ◽  
Gabriel Hoinsoudé Segniagbeto ◽  
Valy Ouattara ◽  
Edem A. Eniang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Age And Sex

AbstractThere is an unprecedented demand for bushmeat in large cities in sub-Saharan Africa, and this is a major threat to many species. We conducted 2,040 interviews in six cities in four West African countries, in forest and savannah settings. We analysed age- and sex-related differences in the frequency of bushmeat consumption. Overall, we found similar patterns in all cities: 62.2% of men and 72.1% of women said they would never eat bushmeat, whereas 12.8% of men and 8.8% of women said they liked bushmeat and ate it regularly. Younger generations of both sexes tended not to eat bushmeat, regardless of their city of origin. This study of the effects of age, gender and geographical location on bushmeat consumption in African cities provides insights regarding which population groups to target in campaigns to change behaviours.

scholarly journals The genomic epidemiology of multi-drug resistant invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in selected sub-Saharan African countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. e005659
Author(s):  
Se Eun Park ◽  
Duy Thanh Pham ◽  
Gi Deok Pak ◽  
Ursula Panzner ◽  
Ligia Maria Cruz Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Population Based ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundInvasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is one of the leading causes of bacteraemia in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide a better understanding of the genetic characteristics and transmission patterns associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) iNTS serovars across the continent.MethodsA total of 166 iNTS isolates collected from a multi-centre surveillance in 10 African countries (2010–2014) and a fever study in Ghana (2007–2009) were genome sequenced to investigate the geographical distribution, antimicrobial genetic determinants and population structure of iNTS serotypes–genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in the context of the existing genomic frameworks for various iNTS serovars. Population-based incidence of MDR-iNTS disease was estimated in each study site.ResultsSalmonella Typhimurium sequence-type (ST) 313 and Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 were predominant, and both exhibited high frequencies of MDR; Salmonella Dublin ST10 was identified in West Africa only. Mutations in the gyrA gene (fluoroquinolone resistance) were identified in S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in Ghana; an ST313 isolate carrying blaCTX-M-15 was found in Kenya. International transmission of MDR ST313 (lineage II) and MDR ST11 (West African clade) was observed between Ghana and neighbouring West African countries. The incidence of MDR-iNTS disease exceeded 100/100 000 person-years-of-observation in children aged <5 years in several West African countries.ConclusionsWe identified the circulation of multiple MDR iNTS serovar STs in the sampled sub-Saharan African countries. Investment in the development and deployment of iNTS vaccines coupled with intensified antimicrobial resistance surveillance are essential to limit the impact of these pathogens in Africa.

scholarly journals Microbiology and Safety of Ogi Fermentation: A Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
Abosede Margaret Adisa ◽  
Victor N. Enujiugha
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Weaning Food ◽  
Breakfast Cereal ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Good Hygiene

Ogi a widely consumed breakfast cereal in Nigeria and other West African countries plays an important role in the nutrition and economy of many of the populace, especially among the under-privileged as its consumption cut across all age groups. It is significant for its application as a cheap and convenient weaning food for children, breakfast and soft meal for adult, convalescents, pregnant and nursing women. This paper is aimed at reviewing the production of ogi from different cereals, which maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Penisetum glaucum). The microflora of ogi is mainly dominated by lactic acid bacteria which are generally regarded as safe with Lactobacillus plantarum dominating and certain beneficial fungal species which belong to the genus Saccharomyces and Aspergillus niger. The safety of the potential microorganisms which are responsible for the fermentation of the product from the various substrates is also of vital importance.  The importance of good hygiene practice to reduce post production re- contamination of the product which could possibly lead to food poisoning especially at the grassroot level is also considered. The widespread use of ogi as a weaning food for children in sub-Saharan Africa makes this review very significant and relevant.

scholarly journals Confirmation of the absence of local transmission and geographic assignment of imported falciparum malaria cases to China using microsatellite panel

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaobao Liu ◽  
Sofonias K Tessema ◽  
Maxwell Murphy ◽  
Sui Xu ◽  
Alanna Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
High Rate ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Assignment Method ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Imported Infections ◽  
Local Transmission

Abstract Background Current methods to classify local and imported malaria infections depends primarily on patients travel history, which can have limited accuracy. Genotyping has been investigated as a complementary approach to track the spread of malaria and identify the origin of imported infections.Methods An extended panel of 26 microsatellites (16 new microsatellites) for Plasmodium falciparum was evaluated in 602 imported infections from 26 sub-Saharan African countries to the Jiangsu province of People's Republic of China. The potential of the 26 microsatellite markers to assign imported parasites to their geographic origin was assessed using a Bayesian method with MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) as implemented in the program Smoothed and Continuous Assignments (SCAT) with a modification to incorporate haploid genotype data.Results The newly designed microsatellites were polymorphic and are not in linkage disequilibrium with the existing microsatellites, supporting previous findings of high rate of recombination in sub-Saharan Africa. Consistent with epidemiology inferred from patients travel history, we found no evidence for local transmission; nearly all genetically related infections were identified in people who traveled to the same country near the same time. The smoothing assignment method assigned imported cases to their likely geographic origin with an accuracy (Angola: 59%; Nigeria: 51%; Equatorial Guinea: 40%) higher than would be achieved at random, reaching statistical significance for Angola and Equatorial Guinea.Conclusions Routine genotyping is valuable for malaria case classification and program evaluation in an elimination setting. Method for assigning geographic origin of mammals based on genetic data were adapted for malaria and showed potential for identification of the origin of imported infections.

scholarly journals The Promise, Problems, and Pitfalls of Including Pregnant Women in Lassa Fever Vaccine Clinical Trials: A Qualitative Analysis of Sub-Sahara Africa Investigators' Perception

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kolawole A Salami ◽  
Henshaw E Mandi ◽  
Nathalie Imbault ◽  
Nadia G Tornieporth
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
West African ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Promise Problems

Abstract Background Lassa fever run a uniquely severe course in pregnancy. There are plans for Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials in endemic West African countries. We tried to assess the perception of West African investigators to including pregnant women in these studies. Methods Interviews were conducted with eight investigators from sub-Saharan Africa. Six of them from West Africa. Data were analyzed thematically. Results Respondents had limited experience with pregnant women in clinical trials but desired a paradigm shift. They identified pregnant women's willingness, a robust community engagement strategy, and adequate safety data as enablers, while lack of safety data, persistent fears about potential harm to pregnant women and offspring, and inappropriate community engagement activities as potential barriers. Conclusion The inclusion of pregnant women in Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials should be a priority of vaccine developers. Investigators are willing to conduct these studies provided adequate measures to ensure safety is in place.

Crowdsourcing Covid-19 signals in sub-Saharan Africa: Leveraging digital contributor networks for participatory surveillance of Covid-19 symptoms and deaths (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngozi A Erondu ◽  
Sagal A Ali ◽  
Mohamed Ali ◽  
Schadrac C Agbla
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan

BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa, underreporting of cases and deaths has been attributed to various factors including, weak disease surveillance, low health-seeking behaviour of flu like symptoms, and stigma of Covid-19. There is evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spread mimics transmission patterns of other countries across the world. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way research can be conducted and in light of restrictions on travel and risks to in-person data collection, innovative approaches to collecting data must be considered. Nearly 50% of Africa’s population is a unique mobile subscriber and it is one of the fastest growing smart-phone marketplaces in the world; hence, mobile phone platforms should be considered to monitor Covid-19 trends in the community. OBJECTIVE We demonstrate the use of digital contributor platforms to survey individuals about cases of flu-like symptoms and instances of unexplained deaths in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. METHODS Rapid cross-sectional survey of individuals with severe flu and pneumonia symptoms and unexplained deaths in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Zimbabwe RESULTS Using a non-health specific information platform, we found COVID-19 signals in five African countries, specifically: •Across countries, nearly half of the respondents (n=739) knew someone who had severe flu or pneumonia symptoms in recent months. •One in three respondents from Somalia and one in five from Zimbabwe respondents said they knew more than five people recently displaying flu and/or pneumonia symptoms. •In Somalia there were signals that a large number of people might be dying outside of health facilities, specifically in their homes or in IDP or refugee camps. CONCLUSIONS Existing digital contributor platforms with local networks are a non-traditional data source that can provide information from the community to supplement traditional government surveillance systems and academic surveys. We demonstrate that using these distributor networks to for community surveys can provide periodic information on rumours but could also be used to capture local sentiment to inform public health decision-making; for example, these insights could be useful to inform strategies to increase confidence in Covid19 vaccine. As Covid-19 continues to spread somewhat silently across sub-Saharan Africa, regional and national public health entities should consider expanding event-based surveillance sources to include these systems.

Managing African Urbanization in the Context of Environmental Change

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaib Lwasa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Urbanization Rate ◽  
Development And Management

Africa’s urbanization rate has increased steadily over the past three decades and is reported to be faster than in any other region in the world . It is estimated that by 2030, over half of the African population will be living in urban areas . But the nature of Africa’s urbanization and subsequent form of cities is yet to be critically analyzed in the context of city authorities’ readiness to address the challenges . Evidence is also suggesting that urbanization in African countries is increasingly associated with the high economic growth that has been observed in the last two decades . Both underlying and proximate drivers are responsible for the urbanization, and these include population dynamics, economic growth, legislative designation, increasing densities in rural centers, as well as the growth of mega cities such as Lagos, Cairo and Kinshasa, that are extending to form urban corridors . With the opportunities of urbanization in Sub–Saharan Africa, there are also challenges in the development and management of these cities . Those challenges include provision of social services, sustainable economic development, housing development, urban governance, spatial development guidance and environmental management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction . The challenge involves dealing with the development and infrastructure deficit, in addition to required adaption to and mitigation of climate change . This paper examines the current state of urban management in Africa .

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