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Girotto CD, Behzadian K, Musah A, Chen AS, Djordjević S, Nichols G, Campos LC. Analysis of environmental factors influencing endemic cholera risks in sub-Saharan Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171896. [PMID: 38522541 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The recurring cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa are of growing concern, especially considering the potential acceleration in the global trend of larger and more lethal cholera outbreaks due to the impacts of climate change. However, there is a scarcity of evidence-based research addressing the environmental and infrastructure factors that sustain cholera recurrence in Africa. This study adopts a statistical approach to investigate over two decades of endemic cholera outbreaks and their relationship with five environmental factors: water provision, sanitation provision, raising temperatures, increased rainfall and GDP. The analysis covers thirteen of the forty-two countries in the mainland sub-Saharan region, collectively representing one-third of the region's territory and half of its population. This breadth enables the findings to be generalised at a regional level. Results from all analyses consistently associate water provision with cholera reduction. The stratified model links increased water provision with a reduction in cholera risk that ranged from 4.2 % to 84.1 % among eight countries (out of 13 countries) as well as a reduction of such risk that ranged from 9.8 % to 68.9 % when there is increased sanitation provision, which was observed in nine countries (out of 13). These results indicate that the population's limited access to water and sanitation, as well as the rise in temperatures, are critical infrastructure and environmental factors contributing to endemic cholera and the heightened risk of outbreaks across the sub-Saharan region. Therefore, these are key areas for targeted interventions and cross-border collaboration to enhance resilience to outbreaks and lead to the end of endemic cholera in the region. However, it is important to interpret the results of this study with caution; hence, further investigation is recommended to conduct a more detailed analysis of the impact of infrastructure and environmental factors on reducing cholera risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane D Girotto
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing, London W5 5RF, UK; Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kourosh Behzadian
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing, London W5 5RF, UK; Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anwar Musah
- Geospatial Analytics and Computing (GSAC), Dept of Geography, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Albert S Chen
- Centre for Water Systems, University of Exeter, Harrison Building, Streatham Campus, N Park Rd, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Slobodan Djordjević
- Centre for Water Systems, University of Exeter, Harrison Building, Streatham Campus, N Park Rd, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Gordon Nichols
- Centre for Radiation Chemicals and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Luiza C Campos
- Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Semá Baltazar C, Langa JP, Baloi LD, Elias Chitio JJ, Manuel JA, Mboane RBJ, Assane S, Omar A, Manso M, Capitine I, Luiz N, Mukasa D, Jang GH, Park JY, Marks F, Mraidi R, Pak GD, Kim DR, Park SE. Cholera and diarrheal diseases in Cuamba District, Niassa Province, Mozambique: Systematic healthcare facility-based surveillance strengthening, characteristics of suspected cholera and diarrheal patients, and incidence of diarrheal diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011843. [PMID: 38687808 PMCID: PMC11086855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mozambique is one of the countries in Africa that is continuously at risk of cholera outbreaks due to poor sanitation, hygiene, and limited access to potable water in some districts. The Mozambique Cholera Prevention and Surveillance (MOCA) project was implemented in Cuamba District, Niassa Province to prevent and control cholera outbreaks through a preemptive cholera vaccination, strengthened surveillance system for cholera and diarrheal diseases, and better understanding of cholera-related healthcare seeking behavior of local populations, which may further guide the national cholera control and prevention strategies. This article presents the surveillance component of the MOCA project. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A prospective healthcare facility (HCF)-based surveillance of cholera and diarrheal disease was conducted in six HCFs in the District of Cuamba from March 2019 to December 2020. A systematic surveillance procedure has been put in place with capacity building in selected sentinel HCFs and a basic microbiology laboratory established on-site. Patients presenting with suspected cholera or other diarrheal symptoms were eligible for enrollment. Clinical data and rectal swab samples were collected for laboratory confirmation of Vibrio Cholerae and other pathogens. A total of 419 eligible patients from six HCFs were enrolled. The median age was 19.8 years with a similar age distribution between sentinel sites. The majority were patients who exhibited diarrhea symptoms not suspected of cholera (88.8%; n = 410). Among those, 59.2% (210/397) were female and 59.9% (235/392) were 15 years and above. There were 2 cholera cases, coming outside of the catchment area. The incidence of diarrheal diseases ranged from 40-103 per 100,000 population. No Vibrio cholerae was isolated among surveillance catchment population and Escherichia coli spp. (82/277; 29.6%) was the most common pathogen isolated. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Efforts were made to strengthen the systematic surveillance of suspected cholera with standardised patient screening, enrolment, and diagnostics. The first basic microbiology laboratory in Niassa Province established in Cuamba District under the MOCA project needs to be integrated into the national network of laboratories for sustainability. No reports of laboratory confirmed cholera cases from the surveillance catchment area may be highly related to the pre-emptive oral cholera vaccine (OCV) mass vaccination campaign conducted in 2018 and the use of drugs by local populations prior to visiting the sentinel HCFs. Continued systematic cholera surveillance is needed to closely monitor the cholera endemicity and epidemics, and further evaluate the long-term impact of this vaccination. High incidence of diarrheal illnesses needs to be addressed with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) conditions in Cuamba District. Efforts integrated with the prioritization of prevention measures are fundamental for the control of cholera in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ramos B. J. Mboane
- Provincial Health Directorate, Lichinga City, Niassa Province, Mozambique
| | - Sadate Assane
- Provincial Health Directorate, Lichinga City, Niassa Province, Mozambique
| | - Alide Omar
- District Health Directorate, Cuamba City, Cuamba District, Niassa Province, Mozambique
| | - Mariana Manso
- District Health Directorate, Cuamba City, Cuamba District, Niassa Province, Mozambique
| | | | - Naira Luiz
- Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - David Mukasa
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun Hyeog Jang
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yeon Park
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Florian Marks
- Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact (EPIC) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ramzi Mraidi
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Deok Pak
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Deok Ryun Kim
- Biostatistics and Data Management (BDM) Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Eun Park
- Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Xu H, Zou K, Dent J, Wiens KE, Malembaka EB, Bwire G, Okitayemba PW, Hampton LM, Azman AS, Lee EC. Enhanced cholera surveillance to improve vaccination campaign efficiency. Nat Med 2024; 30:1104-1110. [PMID: 38443690 PMCID: PMC11031394 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Systematic testing for Vibrio cholerae O1 is rare, which means that the world's limited supply of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) may not be delivered to areas with the highest true cholera burden. Here we used a phenomenological model with subnational geographic targeting and fine-scale vaccine effects to model how expanding V. cholerae testing affected impact and cost-effectiveness for preventive vaccination campaigns across different bacteriological confirmation and vaccine targeting assumptions in 35 African countries. Systematic testing followed by OCV targeting based on confirmed cholera yielded higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness and slightly fewer averted cases than status quo scenarios targeting suspected cholera. Targeting vaccine to populations with an annual incidence rate greater than 10 per 10,000, the testing scenario averted 10.8 (95% prediction interval (PI) 9.4-12.6) cases per 1,000 fully vaccinated persons while the status quo scenario averted 6.9 (95% PI 6.0-7.8) cases per 1,000 fully vaccinated persons. In the testing scenario, testing costs increased by US$31 (95% PI 25-39) while vaccination costs reduced by US$248 (95% PI 176-326) per averted case compared to the status quo. Introduction of systematic testing into cholera surveillance could improve efficiency and reach of global OCV supply for preventive vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanmeng Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kaiyue Zou
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan Dent
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kirsten E Wiens
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Espoir Bwenge Malembaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Godfrey Bwire
- Division of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Placide Welo Okitayemba
- Programme National d'Elimination de Choléra et lutte contre les autres Maladies Diarrhéiques, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Andrew S Azman
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth C Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Elias Chitio JJ, Baltazar CS, Langa JP, Baloi LD, Mboane RBJ, Manuel JA, Assane S, Omar A, Manso M, Capitine I, Van Rensburg C, Luiz N, Mogasale V, Marks F, Park SE, Beck NS. Pre-emptive oral cholera vaccine (OCV) mass vaccination campaign in Cuamba District, Niassa Province, Mozambique: feasibility, vaccination coverage and delivery costs using CholTool. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053585. [PMID: 36547726 PMCID: PMC9454037 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mozambique suffers from regular floods along its principal river basins and periodic cyclones that resulted in several cholera epidemics during the last decades. Cholera outbreaks in the recent 5 years affected particularly the northern provinces of the country including Nampula and Niassa provinces. A pre-emptive oral cholera vaccine (OCV) mass vaccination campaign was conducted in Cuamba District, Niassa Province, and the feasibility, costs, and vaccination coverage assessed. METHODS WHO prequalified OCV (Euvichol-Plus), a killed whole-cell bivalent vaccine containing Vibrio cholerae O1 (classical and El Tor) and O139, was administered in two doses with a 15-day interval during 7-31 August 2018, targeting around 180 000 people aged above 1 year in Cuamba District. Microplanning, community sensitisation, and training of local public health professionals and field enumerators were conducted. Feasibility and costs of vaccination were assessed using CholTool. Vaccination coverage and barriers were assessed through community surveys. RESULTS The administrative coverage of the first and second rounds of the campaign were 98.9% (194 581) and 98.8% (194 325), respectively, based on the available population data that estimated total 196 652 inhabitants in the target area. The vaccination coverage survey exhibited 75.9% (±2.2%) and 68.5% (±3.3%) coverage for the first and second rounds, respectively. Overall, 60.4% (±3.4%) of the target population received full two doses of OCV. Barriers to vaccination included incompatibility between working hours and campaign time. No severe adverse events were notified. The total financial cost per dose delivered was US$0.60 without vaccine cost and US$1.98 including vaccine costs. CONCLUSION The pre-emptive OCV mass vaccination campaign in remote setting in Mozambique was feasible with reasonable full-dose vaccination coverage to confer sufficient herd immunity for at least the next 3 to 5 years. The delivery cost estimate indicates that the OCV campaign is affordable as it is comparable with Gavi's operational support for vaccination campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jucunú J Elias Chitio
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Cynthia S Baltazar
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - José Paulo Langa
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Liliana Dengo Baloi
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | | | - Sadate Assane
- Provincial Directorate of Health, Lichinga City, Mozambique
| | - Alide Omar
- District Health Directorate, Cuamba District, Mozambique
| | - Mariana Manso
- District Health Directorate, Cuamba District, Mozambique
| | - Igor Capitine
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Craig Van Rensburg
- Policy and Economic Research Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Naira Luiz
- National Department for Surveillance and Surveys in Health, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
- Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Vittal Mogasale
- Policy and Economic Research Department, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Florian Marks
- Epidemology, Public Health, Impact (EPIC) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Eun Park
- Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Namseon S Beck
- Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation (CARE) Unit, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Medair Headquarters, Ecublens, VD, Switzerland
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Perez-Saez J, Lessler J, Lee EC, Luquero FJ, Malembaka EB, Finger F, Langa JP, Yennan S, Zaitchik B, Azman AS. The seasonality of cholera in sub-Saharan Africa: a statistical modelling study. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 10:e831-e839. [PMID: 35461521 PMCID: PMC9090905 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholera remains a major threat in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where some of the highest case-fatality rates are reported. Knowing in what months and where cholera tends to occur across the continent could aid in improving efforts to eliminate cholera as a public health concern. However, largely due to the absence of unified large-scale datasets, no continent-wide estimates exist. In this study, we aimed to estimate cholera seasonality across SSA and explore the correlation between hydroclimatic variables and cholera seasonality. Methods Using the global cholera database of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, we developed statistical models to synthesise data across spatial and temporal scales to infer the seasonality of excess (defined as incidence higher than the 2010–16 mean incidence rate) suspected cholera occurrence in SSA. We developed a Bayesian statistical model to infer the monthly risk of excess cholera at the first and second administrative levels. Seasonality patterns were then grouped into spatial clusters. Finally, we studied the association between seasonality estimates and hydroclimatic variables (mean monthly fraction of area flooded, mean monthly air temperature, and cumulative monthly precipitation). Findings 24 (71%) of the 34 countries studied had seasonal patterns of excess cholera risk, corresponding to approximately 86% of the SSA population. 12 (50%) of these 24 countries also had subnational differences in seasonality patterns, with strong differences in seasonality strength between regions. Seasonality patterns clustered into two macroregions (west Africa and the Sahel vs eastern and southern Africa), which were composed of subregional clusters with varying degrees of seasonality. Exploratory association analysis found most consistent and positive correlations between cholera seasonality and precipitation and, to a lesser extent, between cholera seasonality and temperature and flooding. Interpretation Widespread cholera seasonality in SSA offers opportunities for intervention planning. Further studies are needed to study the association between cholera and climate. Funding US National Aeronautics and Space Administration Applied Sciences Program and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Perez-Saez
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Unité d'Épidémiologie Populationnelle, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Justin Lessler
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and University of North Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Espoir Bwenge Malembaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Sebastian Yennan
- Surveillance and Epidemiology, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Benjamin Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew S Azman
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Unité d'Épidémiologie Populationnelle, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Mugabe VA, Gudo ES, Inlamea OF, Kitron U, Ribeiro GS. Natural disasters, population displacement and health emergencies: multiple public health threats in Mozambique. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e006778. [PMID: 34489329 PMCID: PMC8422305 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In early 2019, following the 2015-2016 severe drought, the provinces of Sofala and Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, were hit by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, respectively. These were the deadliest and most destructive cyclones in the country's history. Currently, these two provinces host tens of thousands of vulnerable households due to the climatic catastrophes and the massive influx of displaced people associated with violent terrorist attacks plaguing Cabo Delgado. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic added a new challenge to this already critical scenario, serving as a real test for Mozambique's public health preparedness. On the planetary level, Mozambique can be viewed as a 'canary in the coal mine', harbingering to the world the synergistic effects of co-occurring anthropogenic and natural disasters. Herein, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the need for an effective and comprehensive public health response in a country already deeply impacted by health problems associated with natural disasters and population displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vánio A Mugabe
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Universidade Licungo, Quelimane, Zambezia, Mozambique
| | | | | | - Uriel Kitron
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Guilherme S Ribeiro
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Bin-Hameed EA, Joban HA. Cholera Outbreak in Hadhramout, Yemen: The Epidemiological Weeks 2019. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.34172/ijer.2021.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Cholera is a disease of acute watery diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae usually transmitted through contaminated water. In this study, we collected and analyzed the related epidemiological data to determine cholera outbreak in Hadhramout, Yemen during the disease epidemic in 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted according to screening rapid diagnostic and confirmatory laboratory culture testing methods for diagnosing clinically cholera cases. Results: Suspected cholera cases were tested by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and 399 (50.5%) out of 794 cases were determined positive, and 76(9.6%) of them were confirmed by laboratory culture test (LCT) with statistically significant difference. Serotype V. cholerae O1 was also detected in patients’ diarrhea. Females were the most affected by the disease manifested in 201 (25.3%) and 43 (5.4%) when tested by RDT and LCT, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. The highest proportion of cholera cases (224) were reported in the age group less than 15 years (56.1%) with statistically significant difference when tested by RDT, and 45(13.3%) when tested by LCT with insignificant statistics difference. Hajr directorate was revealed to be the most affected with 242 (30.47%) followed by Mukalla city directorate with 108 (13.60%) when the cases were tested by RDT; while Hajr and Mukalla city directorates reported 55 (7.0%) and 15 (2.0%), respectively, when it was confirmed by LCT with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Severe cholera outbreak occurred during the epidemiological weeks in 2019 in Hadhramout coast. V. cholerae O1 serotype was the causative agent of cholera. Females and age group less than 15 years were the most affected by the disease. Hajr and Mukalla city directorates reported serious outbreak cholera cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huda Ameen Joban
- The National Center of Public Health Laboratories, Hadhramout Coast Branch, Yemen
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Capone D, Chigwechokha P, de los Reyes FL, Holm RH, Risk BB, Tilley E, Brown J. Impact of sampling depth on pathogen detection in pit latrines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009176. [PMID: 33651818 PMCID: PMC7954291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) is increasingly used to provide decision makers with actionable data about community health. WBE efforts to date have primarily focused on sewer-transported wastewater in high-income countries, but at least 1.8 billion people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) use onsite sanitation systems such as pit latrines and septic tanks. Like wastewater, fecal sludges from such systems offer similar advantages in community pathogen monitoring and other epidemiological applications. To evaluate the distribution of enteric pathogens inside pit latrines-which could inform sampling methods for WBE in LMIC settings unserved by sewers-we collected fecal sludges from the surface, mid-point, and maximum-depth of 33 pit latrines in urban and peri-urban Malawi and analyzed the 99 samples for 20 common enteric pathogens via multiplex quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Using logistic regression adjusted for household population, latrine sharing, the presence of a concrete floor or slab, water source, and anal cleansing materials, we found no significant difference in the odds of detecting the 20 pathogens from the mid-point (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.1; 95% confidence interval = 0.73, 1.6) and surface samples (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.54, 1.2) compared with those samples taken from the maximum depth. Our results suggest that, for the purposes of routine pathogen monitoring, pit latrine sampling depth does not strongly influence the odds of detecting enteric pathogens by molecular methods. A single sample from the pit latrines' surface, or a composite of surface samples, may be preferred as the most recent material contributed to the pit and may be easiest to collect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Capone
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Petros Chigwechokha
- Directorate of Research, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis L. de los Reyes
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rochelle H. Holm
- Centre of Excellence in Water and Sanitation, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Benjamin B. Risk
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Tilley
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Joe Brown
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Danso EK, Asare P, Otchere ID, Akyeh LM, Asante-Poku A, Aboagye SY, Osei-Wusu S, Opare D, Ntoumi F, Zumla A, Duodu S, Yeboah-Manu D. A molecular and epidemiological study of Vibrio cholerae isolates from cholera outbreaks in southern Ghana. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236016. [PMID: 32649692 PMCID: PMC7351161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholera remains a major global public health threat and continuous emergence of new Vibrio cholerae strains is of major concern. We conducted a molecular epidemiological study to detect virulence markers and antimicrobial resistance patterns of V. cholerae isolates obtained from the 2012–2015 cholera outbreaks in Ghana. Archived clinical isolates obtained from the 2012, 2014 and 2015 cholera outbreaks in Ghana were revived by culture and subjected to microscopy, biochemical identification, serotyping, antibiotic susceptibility testing, molecular detection of distinct virulence factors and Multi-Locus Variable-Number of Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA). Of 277 isolates analysed, 168 (60.6%) were confirmed to be V. cholerae and 109 (39.4%) isolates constituted other bacteria (Escherichia coli, Aeromonas sobria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococci faecalis). Serotyping the V. cholerae isolates identified 151 (89.9%) as Ogawa, 3 (1.8%) as Inaba and 14 (8.3%) as non-O1/O139 serogroup. The O1 serogroup isolates (154/168, 91.7%) carried the cholera toxin ctxB gene as detected by PCR. Additional virulence genes detected include zot, tcpA, ace, rtxC, toxR, rtxA, tcpP, hlyA and tagA. The most common and rare virulence factors detected among the isolates were rtxC (165 isolates) and tcpP (50 isolates) respectively. All isolates from 2014 and 2015 were multidrug resistant against the selected antibiotics. MLVA differentiated the isolates into 2 large unique clones A and B, with each predominating in a particular year. Spatial analysis showed clustering of most isolates at Ablekuma sub-district. Identification of several virulence genes among the two different genotypes of V. cholerae isolates and resistance to first- and second-line antibiotics, calls for scaleup of preventive strategies to reduce transmission, and strengthening of public health laboratories for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing to guide accurate treatment. Our findings support the current WHO licensed cholera vaccines which include both O1 Inaba and Ogawa serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelia Konadu Danso
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana Legon, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prince Asare
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isaac Darko Otchere
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lorenzo Moses Akyeh
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Adwoa Asante-Poku
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Yaw Aboagye
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephen Osei-Wusu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - David Opare
- National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Accra, Ghana
| | - Francine Ntoumi
- Université Marien NGouabi, Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale (FCRM), Brazzaville, Congo
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Duodu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana Legon, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana Legon, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail:
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Mwape K, Kwenda G, Kalonda A, Mwaba J, Lukwesa-Musyani C, Ngulube J, Smith AM, Mwansa J. Characterisation of Vibrio cholerae isolates from the 2009, 2010 and 2016 cholera outbreaks in Lusaka province, Zambia. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 35:32. [PMID: 32499849 PMCID: PMC7245973 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.35.32.18853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2009 and 2010, more than 6,000 cholera cases were recorded during these outbreaks with more than 80% of cases recorded in Lusaka province. After a five-year break, in 2016 an outbreak occurred in Lusaka, causing more than 1,000 cases of cholera. This study will strengthen the epidemiological information on the changing characteristics of the cholera outbreaks, for treatment, prevention and control of the disease. Methods This was a laboratory-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 83 V. cholerae O1 isolates were characterised by biochemical testing, serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and macrorestriction analysis using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis. Results Macrorestriction analysis of the isolates demonstrated high genetic diversity among the isolates with 16 different patterns. The largest pattern comprised 9 isolates while the smallest one had 1 isolate. 2009 and 2010 isolates were highly resistant to nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole, but highly sensitive to azithromycin and ampicillin. Of the fifty-two isolates from the 2016 cholera outbreak, 90% (47) were sensitive to cotrimoxazole, 94% (49) to tetracycline, and 98% (51) to azithromycin, while 98% (51) were resistant to nalidixic acid and 31(60%) to ampicillin. Conclusion macrorestriction analysis demonstrated high genetic diversity among the V. cholerae O1 strains, suggesting that these isolates were probably not from a similar source. This study also revealed the emergence of multidrug resistance among the 2016 V. cholerae outbreak isolates but were susceptible to cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, and azithromycin, which can be used for treatment of the cholera cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapambwe Mwape
- Department of Basic Sciences, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Geoffrey Kwenda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Annie Kalonda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - John Mwaba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Joseph Ngulube
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Anthony Marius Smith
- Bacteriology Division, Centre for Enteric Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - James Mwansa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
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Deen J, Mengel MA, Clemens JD. Epidemiology of cholera. Vaccine 2020; 38 Suppl 1:A31-A40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Semá Baltazar C, Rafael F, Langa JPM, Chicumbe S, Cavailler P, Gessner BD, Pezzoli L, Barata A, Zaina D, Inguane DL, Mengel MA, Munier A. Oral cholera vaccine coverage during a preventive door-to-door mass vaccination campaign in Nampula, Mozambique. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198592. [PMID: 30281604 PMCID: PMC6169854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In addition to improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures and optimal case management, the introduction of Oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is a complementary strategy for cholera prevention and control for vulnerable population groups. In October 2016, the Mozambique Ministry of Health implemented a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose regimen of the Shanchol™ OCV in six high-risk neighborhoods of Nampula city, in Northern Mozambique. Overall 193,403 people were targeted by the campaign, which used a door-to-door strategy. During campaign follow-up, a population survey was conducted to assess: (1) OCV coverage; (2) frequency of adverse events following immunization; (3) vaccine acceptability and (4) reasons for non-vaccination. Methodology/Principal findings In the absence of a household listing and clear administrative neighborhood delimitations, we used geospatial technology to select households from satellite images and used the support of community leaders. One person per household was randomly selected for interview. In total, 636 individuals were enrolled in the survey. The overall vaccination coverage with at least one dose (including card and oral reporting) was 69.5% (95%CI: 51.2–88.2) and the two-dose coverage was 51.2% (95%CI: 37.9–64.3). The campaign was well accepted. Among the 185 non-vaccinated individuals, 83 (44.6%) did not take the vaccine because they were absent when the vaccination team visited their houses. Among the 451 vaccinated individuals, 47 (10%) reported minor and non-specific complaints, and 78 (17.3%) mentioned they did not receive any information before the campaign. Conclusions/Significance In spite of overall coverage being slightly lower than expected, the use of a mobile door-to-door strategy remains a viable option even in densely-populated urban settings. Our results suggest that campaigns can be successfully implemented and well accepted in Mozambique in non-emergency contexts in order to prevent cholera outbreaks. These findings are encouraging and complement the previous Mozambican experience related to OCV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sergio Chicumbe
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | | | | | - Américo Barata
- Direcção Provincial de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Nampula, Mozambique
| | - Dores Zaina
- Direcção de Saúde de Cidade, Ministry of Health, Nampula, Mozambique
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Recurrent cholera epidemics in Africa: which way forward? A literature review. Infection 2018; 47:341-349. [DOI: 10.1007/s15010-018-1186-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Jeandron A, Cumming O, Rumedeka BB, Saidi JM, Cousens S. Confirmation of cholera by rapid diagnostic test amongst patients admitted to the cholera treatment centre in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201306. [PMID: 30067824 PMCID: PMC6070262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cholera is endemic in the Eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1978, and Uvira in South-Kivu has been reporting suspected cholera cases nearly every week for over a decade. The clinical case definition for suspected cholera is relatively non-specific, and cases are rarely confirmed by laboratory methods, especially in endemic settings. This may lead to over-estimation of cholera cases and limit effective public health responses. METHODS AND RESULTS Between April 2016 and November 2017, 69% of the 2,059 patients admitted to the Uvira Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) were tested for cholera with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Of those admitted as suspected cholera cases, only 40% tested positive for cholera, equivalent to an estimated annual incidence of suspected/confirmed cholera in Uvira of 43.8 and 16.3 cases per 10,000 inhabitants respectively. A multivariable logistic regression indicates that boys aged 2 to 4 years, girls aged 5 to 15 years and adult men are respectively 1.9, 2.1 and 1.8 times more likely to test positive than adult women. On the contrary, boys under 2 are 10 times less likely to test positive. The odds of testing positive also increase as weekly admissions to the CTC rise, with up to a 5-fold increase observed during the weeks with the highest numbers of admissions compared to the lowest ones. Other predictors of cholera confirmation include duration of stay at the CTC, clinical outcome of admission, lower weekly rainfall and area of residence in Uvira, with the northern part of town having the highest confirmation rate. CONCLUSION Cholera is an on-going public health problem in Uvira but the majority of suspected cases admitted to the CTC were found to be negative for cholera after RDT testing. These findings may have important implications for cholera control strategies in favour of interventions that address cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelie Jeandron
- Environmental Health Group, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Environmental Health Group, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Baron Bashige Rumedeka
- Ministère de la Santé Publique, Division Provinciale de la Santé Publique, District Sanitaire d’Uvira, Uvira, Sud-Kivu, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Jaime Mufitini Saidi
- Ministère de la Santé Publique, Division Provinciale de la Santé Publique, District Sanitaire d’Uvira, Uvira, Sud-Kivu, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Simon Cousens
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Chissaque A, de Deus N, Vubil D, Mandomando I. The Epidemiology of Diarrhea in Children Under 5 Years of Age in Mozambique. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-018-0146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Passive, health center-based assessment of adverse events following oral cholera immunization in Nampula city, Mozambique. Vaccine 2017; 35:6041-6042. [PMID: 28899627 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Semá Baltazar C, Langa JP, Dengo Baloi L, Wood R, Ouedraogo I, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Inguane D, Elias Chitio J, Mhlanga T, Gujral L, D. Gessner B, Munier A, A. Mengel M. Multi-site cholera surveillance within the African Cholera Surveillance Network shows endemicity in Mozambique, 2011-2015. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005941. [PMID: 28991895 PMCID: PMC5648265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mozambique suffers recurrent annual cholera outbreaks especially during the rainy season between October to March. The African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol) was implemented in Mozambique in 2011 to generate accurate detailed surveillance data to support appropriate interventions for cholera control and prevention in the country. Methodology/Principal findings Africhol was implemented in enhanced surveillance zones located in the provinces of Sofala (Beira), Zambézia (District Mocuba), and Cabo Delgado (Pemba City). Data were also analyzed from the three outbreak areas that experienced the greatest number of cases during the time period under observation (in the districts of Cuamba, Montepuez, and Nampula). Rectal swabs were collected from suspected cases for identification of Vibrio cholerae, as well as clinical, behavioral, and socio-demographic variables. We analyzed factors associated with confirmed, hospitalized, and fatal cholera using multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 1,863 suspected cases and 23 deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR), 1.2%) were reported from October 2011 to December 2015. Among these suspected cases, 52.2% were tested of which 23.5% were positive for Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa. Risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of confirmed cholera were living in Nampula city district, the year 2014, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and the primary water source for drinking. Conclusions/Significance Cholera was endemic in Mozambique during the study period with a high CFR and identifiable risk factors. The study reinforces the importance of continued cholera surveillance, including a strong laboratory component. The results enhanced our understanding of the need to target priority areas and at-risk populations for interventions including oral cholera vaccine (OCV) use, and assess the impact of prevention and control strategies. Our data were instrumental in informing integrated prevention and control efforts during major cholera outbreaks in recent years. Cholera is a major public health problem in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In Mozambique, annual outbreaks occur but the place and time may vary. Africhol was implemented in Mozambique in 2011 to generate more detailed information on disease burden and characteristics to support appropriate interventions for cholera control and prevention in the country. The study was conducted in six different zones, where patients with cholera symptoms seeking care at a health facility were asked questions on socio-demographic characteristics, their symptoms, and behaviors that may increase cholera risk. Stool samples were also taken to test for the presence of cholera infection (Vibrio cholerae). Among the 1,863 patients, more than half were tested for cholera, and among those tested, less than one in four was infected with the pathogen. About 1% of patients died from cholera. Our study helps to understand the burden of cholera in different areas of the country, and the characteristics of the people infected. It is important to continue the surveillance of this disease to choose the most appropriate control and preventive interventions, and to apply them in precisely the right place.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Paulo Langa
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Microbiology Laboratory, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Richard Wood
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, Enteric Diseases Program, Paris, France
| | - Issaka Ouedraogo
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, Enteric Diseases Program, Paris, France
| | | | - Dorteia Inguane
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Surveillance Department, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Themba Mhlanga
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, Enteric Diseases Program, Paris, France
| | - Lorna Gujral
- National Public Health Directorate, Epidemiology Department, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Aline Munier
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, Enteric Diseases Program, Paris, France
| | - Martin A. Mengel
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, Enteric Diseases Program, Paris, France
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Ilboudo PG, Huang XX, Ngwira B, Mwanyungwe A, Mogasale V, Mengel MA, Cavailler P, Gessner BD, Le Gargasson JB. Cost-of-illness of cholera to households and health facilities in rural Malawi. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185041. [PMID: 28934285 PMCID: PMC5608291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholera remains an important public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries. Vaccination has been recommended as a possible intervention for the prevention and control of cholera. Evidence, especially data on disease burden, cost-of-illness, delivery costs and cost-effectiveness to support a wider use of vaccine is still weak. This study aims at estimating the cost-of-illness of cholera to households and health facilities in Machinga and Zomba Districts, Malawi. A cross-sectional study using retrospectively collected cost data was undertaken in this investigation. One hundred patients were purposefully selected for the assessment of the household cost-of-illness and four cholera treatment centres and one health facility were selected for the assessment conducted in health facilities. Data collected for the assessment in households included direct and indirect costs borne by cholera patients and their families while only direct costs were considered for the assessment conducted in health facilities. Whenever possible, descriptive and regression analysis were used to assess difference in mean costs between groups of patients. The average costs to patients’ households and health facilities for treating an episode of cholera amounted to US$65.6 and US$59.7 in 2016 for households and health facilities, respectively equivalent to international dollars (I$) 249.9 and 227.5 the same year. Costs incurred in treating a cholera episode were proportional to duration of hospital stay. Moreover, 52% of households used coping strategies to compensate for direct and indirect costs imposed by the disease. Both households and health facilities could avert significant treatment expenditures through a broader use of pre-emptive cholera vaccination. These findings have direct policy implications regarding priority investments for the prevention and control of cholera.
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Antibiotics resistance in El Tor Vibrio cholerae 01 isolated during cholera outbreaks in Mozambique from 2012 to 2015. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181496. [PMID: 28792540 PMCID: PMC5549693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Mozambique has recorded cyclically epidemic outbreaks of cholera. Antibiotic therapy is recommended in specific situations for management and control of cholera outbreaks. However, an increase in resistance rates to antibiotics by Vibrio cholerae has been reported in several epidemic outbreaks worldwide. On the other hand, there are few recent records of continuous surveillance of antibiotics susceptibility pattern of V. cholerae in Mozambique. GOALS The purpose of this study was to evaluate antibiotics resistance pattern of Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa isolated during Cholera outbreaks in Mozambique to commonly used antibiotics. METHODOLOGY We analyzed data from samples received in the context of surveillance and response to Cholera outbreaks in the National Reference Laboratory of Microbiology from the National Institute of Health of Mozambique, 159 samples suspected of cholera from cholera treatment centers of, Metangula (09), Memba (01), Tete City (08), Moatize (01), Morrumbala (01) districts, City of Quelimane (01), Lichinga (06) and Nampula (86) districts, from 2012 to 2015. Laboratory culture and standard biochemical tests were employed to isolate and identify Vibrio cholerae; serotypes were determined by antisera agglutination reaction in blade. Biotype and presence of important virulence factors analysis was done by PCR. Antibiotics susceptibility pattern was detected by disk diffusion method Kirby Bauer. Antibiotic susceptibility and results were interpreted by following as per recommendations of CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) 2014. All samples were collected and tested in the context of Africhol Project, approved by the National Bioethics Committee for Health. RESULTS Among isolates from of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa resistance to Sulphamethoxazole-trimethropim was 100% (53/53) to Trimethoprim-, being 100% (54/54) for Ampicillin, 99% (72/74) for Nalidixic Acid, 97% (64/66) to Chloramphenicol, 95% (42/44) for Nitrofurantoin and (19/20) Cotrimoxazole, 83% (80/97) Tetracycline, 56% (5/13) Doxycycline, 56% (39/70) Azithromycin and 0% (0/101) for Ciprofloxacin. PCR analysis suggested strains of V. cholerae O1 being descendants of the current seventh pandemic V. cholerae O1 CIRS 101 hybrid variant. The V. cholerae O1 currently causing cholera epidemics in north and central Mozambique confirmed a CTXΦ genotype and a molecular arrangement similar to the V. cholerae O1 CIRS 101. CONCLUSION Although V. cholerae infections in Mozambique are generally not treated with antibiotics circulating strains of the bacteria showed high frequency of in vitro resistance to available antibiotics. Continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance pattern of epidemic strains is therefore crucial since the appearance of antibiotic resistance can influence cholera control strategies.
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Baltazar CS, Taibo C, Sacarlal J, Gujral L, Salomão C, Doyle T. Mozambique field epidemiology and laboratory training program: a pathway for strengthening human resources in applied epidemiology. Pan Afr Med J 2017; 27:233. [PMID: 28979635 PMCID: PMC5622808 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.27.233.13183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the last decades, Mozambique has been undergoing demographic, epidemiological, economic and social transitions, which have all had a notable impact on the National Health System. New challenges have emerged, causing a need to expand the preparation and response to emerging disease threats and public health emergencies. Methods We describe the structure and function of the Mozambique Field Epidemiology Training Program (MZ-FELTP) and the main outputs achieved during the first 6 years of program implementation (consisting of 3 cohorts). We also outline the contribution of the program to the National Health System and assess the retention of the graduates. Results The MZ-FELTP is a post-graduate in-service training program, based on the acquisition of skills, within two tracks: applied epidemiology and laboratory management. The program was established in 2010, with the objective of strengthening capacity in applied epidemiology and laboratory management, so that events of public health importance can be detected and investigated in a timely and effective manner. The program is in its seventh year, having successfully trained 36 health professionals in the advanced course. During the first six years of the program, more than 40 outbreaks were investigated, 37 surveillance system evaluations were conducted and 39 descriptive data analyses were performed. Surveillance activities were implemented for mass events and emergency situations. In addition, more than 100 oral and poster presentations were given by trainees at national and international conferences. Conclusion The MZ-FELTP has helped provide the Ministry of Health with the human and technical resources and operational capacity, to rapidly and effectively respond to major public health challenges in the country. The continuous involvement of key stakeholders is necessary for the continuation, expansion and ongoing sustainability of the program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cátia Taibo
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University
| | | | - Lorna Gujral
- National Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Mozambique
| | | | - Timothy Doyle
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mozambique
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Garrine M, Mandomando I, Vubil D, Nhampossa T, Acacio S, Li S, Paulson JN, Almeida M, Domman D, Thomson NR, Alonso P, Stine OC. Minimal genetic change in Vibrio cholerae in Mozambique over time: Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis and whole genome sequencing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005671. [PMID: 28622368 PMCID: PMC5489214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although cholera is a major public health concern in Mozambique, its transmission patterns remain unknown. We surveyed the genetic relatedness of 75 Vibrio cholerae isolates from patients at Manhiça District Hospital between 2002-2012 and 3 isolates from river using multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). MLVA revealed 22 genotypes in two clonal complexes and four unrelated genotypes. WGS revealed i) the presence of recombination, ii) 67 isolates descended monophyletically from a single source connected to Wave 3 of the Seventh Pandemic, and iii) four clinical isolates lacking the cholera toxin gene. This Wave 3 strain persisted for at least eight years in either an environmental reservoir or circulating within the human population. Our data raises important questions related to where these isolates persist and how identical isolates can be collected years apart despite our understanding of high change rate of MLVA loci and the V. cholerae molecular clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelino Garrine
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Inácio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Delfino Vubil
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Tacilta Nhampossa
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Sozinho Acacio
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph N. Paulson
- Institute for Applied Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Almeida
- Institute for Applied Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daryl Domman
- Infection Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Instititue, Hinxton, England, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Thomson
- Infection Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Instititue, Hinxton, England, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Alonso
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- ISGlobal Barcelona Ctr. Int. Health Res. (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic / Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Colin Stine
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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22
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Ohene SA, Klenyuie W, Sarpeh M. Assessment of the response to cholera outbreaks in two districts in Ghana. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:99. [PMID: 27802834 PMCID: PMC5090876 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0192-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite recurring outbreaks of cholera in Ghana, very little has been reported on assessments of outbreak response activities undertaken in affected areas. This study assessed the response activities undertaken in two districts, Akatsi District in Volta Region and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipal in Central Region during the 2012 cholera epidemic in Ghana. Methods We conducted a retrospective assessment of the events, strengths and weaknesses of the cholera outbreak response activities in the two districts making use of the WHO cholera evaluation tool. Information sources included surveillance and facility records, reports and interviews with relevant health personnel involved in the outbreak response from both district health directorates and health facilities. We collected data on age, sex, area of residence, date of reporting to health facility of cholera cases, district population data and information on the outbreak response activities and performed descriptive analyses of the outbreak data by person, time and place. Results The cholera outbreak in Akatsi was explosive with a high attack rate (AR) of 374/100,000 and case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.2 % while that in KEEA was on a relatively smaller scale AR of 23/100,000 but with a high case fatality rate of 18.8 %. For both districts, we identified multiple strengths in the response to the outbreak including timely notification of the district health officials which triggered prompt investigation of the suspected outbreak facilitating confirmation of cholera and initiation of public health response activities. Others were coordination of the activities by multi-sectoral committees, instituting water, sanitation and hygiene measures and appropriate case management at health facilities. We also found areas that needed improvement in both districts including incomplete surveillance data, sub-optimal community based surveillance considering the late reporting and the deaths in the community and the inadequate community knowledge about cholera preventive measures. Conclusion The assessment of the cholera outbreak response in the two districts highlighted strengths in the epidemic control activities. There was however need to strengthen preparedness especially in the area of improving community surveillance and awareness about cholera prevention and the importance of seeking prompt treatment in health facilities in the event of an outbreak. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0192-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally-Ann Ohene
- World Health Organization Country Office, 29 Volta Street Airport, Airport Residential Area, PO Box MB 142, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Wisdom Klenyuie
- School of Public Health, College of Health Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mark Sarpeh
- Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Health Directorate, Central Region, Ghana
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Sauvageot D, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Akilimali L, Anne JC, Bidjada P, Bompangue D, Bwire G, Coulibaly D, Dengo-Baloi L, Dosso M, Orach CG, Inguane D, Kagirita A, Kacou-N’Douba A, Keita S, Kere Banla A, Kouame YJP, Landoh DE, Langa JP, Makumbi I, Miwanda B, Malimbo M, Mutombo G, Mutombo A, NGuetta EN, Saliou M, Sarr V, Senga RK, Sory F, Sema C, Tante OV, Gessner BD, Mengel MA. Cholera Incidence and Mortality in Sub-Saharan African Sites during Multi-country Surveillance. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004679. [PMID: 27186885 PMCID: PMC4871502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholera burden in Africa remains unknown, often because of weak national surveillance systems. We analyzed data from the African Cholera Surveillance Network (www.africhol.org). METHODS/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS During June 2011-December 2013, we conducted enhanced surveillance in seven zones and four outbreak sites in Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique and Cote d'Ivoire. All health facilities treating cholera cases were included. Cholera incidences were calculated using culture-confirmed cholera cases and culture-confirmed cholera cases corrected for lack of culture testing usually due to overwhelmed health systems and imperfect test sensitivity. Of 13,377 reported suspected cases, 34% occurred in Conakry, Guinea, 47% in Goma, DRC, and 19% in the remaining sites. From 0-40% of suspected cases were aged under five years and from 0.3-86% had rice water stools. Within surveillance zones, 0-37% of suspected cases had confirmed cholera compared to 27-38% during outbreaks. Annual confirmed incidence per 10,000 population was <0.5 in surveillance zones, except Goma where it was 4.6. Goma and Conakry had corrected incidences of 20.2 and 5.8 respectively, while the other zones a median of 0.3. During outbreaks, corrected incidence varied from 2.6 to 13.0. Case fatality ratios ranged from 0-10% (median, 1%) by country. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Across different African epidemiological contexts, substantial variation occurred in cholera incidence, age distribution, clinical presentation, culture confirmation, and testing frequency. These results can help guide preventive activities, including vaccine use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Didier Bompangue
- Universite de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Republique Democratique du Congo
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Atek Kagirita
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Sakoba Keita
- Ministere de la sante publique et de l’hygiene publique, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Berthe Miwanda
- Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale, Kinshasa, Republique Democratique du Congo
| | | | - Guy Mutombo
- Ministere de la santé, Division Provinciale de la santé, Goma, Republique Democratique du Congo
| | - Annie Mutombo
- Ministère de la santé, Kinshasa, Republique Democratique du Congo
| | | | | | - Veronique Sarr
- Ministere de la sante publique et de l’hygiene publique, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | - Fode Sory
- Ministere de la sante publique et de l’hygiene publique, Conakry, Guinea
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Abstract
Cholera remains a grave public health problem in Africa. It is endemic with seasonal variations around the central African Great Lakes. Along the coasts, it occurs mostly in rapidly expanding epidemics, with intercalated 3-5 year lull-periods. Case-fatality ratios remain high at 2–5% against the global declining trend. Insufficient safe water and sanitation coverage are the main causes of persistent cholera in Africa and this is unlikely to improve soon. However, an efficacious oral cholera vaccine is now available and new groups and initiatives like the African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol) allow countries to enhance their capacities for an integrated cross-border approach using all means necessary to tackle cholera in Africa.
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Abstract
During the current seventh cholera pandemic, Africa bore the major brunt of global disease burden. More than 40 years after its resurgence in Africa in 1970, cholera remains a grave public health problem, characterized by large disease burden, frequent outbreaks, persistent endemicity, and high CFRs, particularly in the region of the central African Great Lakes which might act as reservoirs for cholera. There, cases occur year round with a rise in incidence during the rainy season. Elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, cholera occurs mostly in outbreaks of varying size with a constant threat of widespread epidemics. Between 1970 and 2011, African countries reported 3,221,050 suspected cholera cases to the World Health Organization, representing 46 % of all cases reported globally. Excluding the Haitian epidemic, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 86 % of reported cases and 99 % of deaths worldwide in 2011. The number of cholera cases is possibly much higher than what is reported to the WHO due to the variation in modalities, completeness, and case definition of national cholera data. One source on country specific incidence rates for Africa, adjusting for underreporting, estimates 1,341,080 cases and 160,930 deaths (52.6 % of 2,548,227 estimated cases and 79.6 % of 209,216 estimated deaths worldwide). Another estimates 1,411,453 cases and 53,632 deaths per year, respectively (50 % of 2,836,669 estimated cases and 58.6 % of 91,490 estimated deaths worldwide). Within Africa, half of all cases between 1970 and 2011 were notified from only seven countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Tanzania, and South Africa. In contrast to a global trend of decreasing case fatality ratios (CFRs), CFRs have remained stable in Africa at approximately 2 %. Early propagation of cholera outbreaks depends largely on the extent of individual bacterial shedding, host and organism characteristics, the likelihood of people coming into contact with an infectious dose of Vibrio cholerae and on the virulence of the implicated strain. Cholera transmission can then be amplified by several factors including contamination of human water- or food sources; climate and extreme weather events; political and economic crises; high population density combined with poor quality informal housing and poor hygiene practices; spread beyond a local community through human travel and animals, e.g., water birds. At an individual level, cholera risk may increase with decreasing immunity and hypochlorhydria, such as that induced by Helicobacter pylori infection, which is endemic in much of Africa, and may increase individual susceptibility and cholera incidence. Since contaminated water is the main vehicle for the spread of cholera, the obvious long-term solution to eradicate the disease is the provision of safe water to all African populations. This requires considerable human and financial resources and time. In the short and medium term, vaccination may help to prevent and control the spread of cholera outbreaks. Regardless of the intervention, further understanding of cholera biology and epidemiology is essential to identify populations and areas at increased risk and thus ensure the most efficient use of scarce resources for the prevention and control of cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Mengel
- Agence de Médecine Préventive, 164 rue de Vaugirard, 75015, Paris, France,
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Mengel M, Mintz E, Nair GB, Gessner BD. Editorial committee introduction. J Infect Dis 2013; 208 Suppl 1:S1-3. [PMID: 24101637 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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