Search

Yellow fever virus (YFV), transmitted by infected Aedes spp. mosquitoes, causes a viral hemorrhagic disease, typically acute, with case-fatality rates up to 50%. The disease remains a major public health [...]

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with superior transmissibility or immune evasion advantages may cause outbreaks and dominate transmission in a population (1). Thus, keeping track of the dynamics of variant [...]

Despite being one of the earliest diseases described, anthrax, caused by infection with the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, remains a global public health concern, especially in resource-limited, rural agricultural areas, including [...]

Yellow fever virus, transmitted by infected Aedes spp. mosquitoes, causes an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. During October 2021–February 2022, a yellow fever outbreak in some communities in Ghana resulted in 70 confirmed cases with 35 deaths (case-fatality rate 50%). The outbreak started in a predominantly unvaccinated nomadic community in the Savannah region, from which 65% of the cases came. The molecular amplification methods we used for diagnosis produced full-length DNA sequences from 3 confirmed cases. Phylogenetic analysis characterized the 3 sequences within West Africa genotype II; strains shared a close homology with sequences from Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. We deployed more sensitive advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, which enabled earlier detection, helped control spread, and improved case management. We urge increased efforts from health authorities to vaccinate vulnerable groups in difficult-to-access areas and to educate the population about potential risks for yellow fever infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]