Evaluation of a Smectite Adsorption-Based Electrostatic System to Decontaminate F− Rich Thermal Waters

Several studies have shown the presence of fluoride levels much higher than the 1.5 mg/L threshold concentration recommended by WHO in the spring waters and wells of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Available defluoridation techniques can be costly, present complicated technical aspects, and show limited effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to devise innovative, sustainable, and effective solutions. This study proposes an alternative method of intervention to the known techniques for removing fluoride from water, particularly suitable for smaller rural communities. In particular, in this work, the possibility to use electromagnetic fields as a physical method for removing the excess fluoride was investigated. The study was carried out by developing a multiphysics model used for studying and envisaging the design of a device. In this framework, the combination of this approach with the use of highly reactive smectite clay was numerically studied. The results obtained, although preliminary, indicate that the proposed system could significantly impoverish the waters of the Rift Valley from fluoride, with the consequence of obtaining a resource suitable for human consumption, in particular for rural communities. However, further theoretical investigations and experimental phases will be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Remote sensing, GIS, and RUSLE in soil loss estimation in the Kulfo river catchment, Rift valley, Southern Ethiopia

Quantification of soil is crucial for maximizing the advantages of land resources while minimizing the negative consequences of land degradation in the long term. It will also make it possible to identify locations that need immediate soil erosion management. The present study was carried out in the Kulfo river catchment, Rift valley, Southern Ethiopia. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) method was utilized to estimate the mean yearly soil loss in the research region using remote sensing, other collateral data. The RUSLE model inputs were mapped and integrated into the ArcGIS software, and the results show that 0 and 1211 t ha−1year−1 are the minima and maximum soil loss in the present study area. Soil erosion-prone regions were divided into three categories: 0-42 t ha−1year−1 (low), 43-128 t ha−1 year−1 (medium), and > 128 t ha−1 year−1 (high). And the average rate of soil erosion is 68.47 t ha−1year−1. Low, medium, and high soil erosion areal extent and area percentages in the current research area is 270 km2 (77 %), 61 km2 (17 %), and 19 km2 (6%), respectively. A high rate of soil erosion was found where high steep slope, barren land, and high precipitation occurred in the present study area. The current study's outcomes were confirmed by comparing soil loss estimates in the same geo-environmental conditions found in Ethiopia's highlands. The outcome of this study is important for decision-makers and policymakers.

Tilorone-Dihydrochloride Protects against Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection and Disease in the Mouse Model

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease endemic to Africa and the Middle East that can affect humans and ruminant livestock. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the treatment of severe RVF disease in humans. Tilorone-dihydrochloride (Tilorone) is a broad-spectrum antiviral candidate that has previously shown efficacy against a wide range of DNA and RNA viruses, and which is clinically utilized for the treatment of respiratory infections in Russia and other Eastern European countries. Here, we evaluated the antiviral activity of Tilorone against Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). In vitro, Tilorone inhibited both vaccine (MP-12) and virulent (ZH501) strains of RVFV at low micromolar concentrations. In the mouse model, treatment with Tilorone significantly improved survival outcomes in BALB/c mice challenged with a lethal dose of RVFV ZH501. Treatment with 30 mg/kg/day resulted in 80% survival when administered immediately after infection. In post-exposure prophylaxis, Tilorone resulted in 30% survival at one day after infection when administered at 45 mg/kg/day. These findings demonstrate that Tilorone has potent antiviral efficacy against RVFV infection in vitro and in vivo and supports further development of Tilorone as a potential antiviral therapeutic for treatment of RVFV infection.

Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus Lineage H from South Africa through Syndromic Sentinel Surveillance Network in Senegal

Background Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an arbovirus that causes epizootics and epidemics among livestock population and humans. Our surveillance system has revealed multiple emergences and re-emergences of RVFV in West Africa over the last decade. Methods In Senegal a sentinel syndromic surveillance network (4S) has been implemented since 2011. Samples from human suspected arbovirus infection in 4S sentinel sites were sent to Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) where arbovirus diagnosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus isolation were performed. Overall, IPD has received a total of 1,149 samples from arboviral suspected patients through the 4S network from January to December 2020. These samples were screened for seven arboviruses including RVFV. Whole genome sequencing of positive RVFV samples by RT-PCR were performed using Illumina Miseq platform followed by genome assembly. Phylogenetic analysis were performed using MEGA X. Results Out of the 1,149 arbovirus suspected cases, four RVFV positive samples were detected with RT-PCR while five RVFV positive samples were detected by ELISA. Complete genome sequences were obtained for three strains among the four positive samples by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analyses indicated an emergence of a virus first described in South Africa during a major outbreak. Conclusion Strong surveillance system allowed the detection of RVFV outbreak in Senegal in 2020. The obtained genomes clustered with strains from South Africa belonging to lineage H. This calls for an implementation of a strong surveillance system in wild animals, humans, and livestock simultaneously in all African Countrries.