1. Yellow fever risk assessment in the Central African Republic
- Author
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Casimir Manengu, Eddy Patrick Gamba, Abel Ngoutendji, Mawlouth Diallo, Benjamin Selekon, Xavier Konamna, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Ionela Gouandijka-Vasilache, J. Erin Staples, Peggy Conjugo, Adolphe-Hilaire Gokra, Amadou A. Sall, Auguste Nangouma, Kristen B. Janusz, Virginie Gbatoumba, Mirindi Ruhana, Alexis Kamba, Rock Ouambita-Mabo, Veronique Millot, Jean Bertrand Wata, Sergio Yactayo, Guy Chantal Opandy, Barthélémy Gnikoli, Léon Kobangue, Elie Didier Louango, Joseph Sendazo, Marc Fischer, Grégorie Malemoko, William Perea, Essène Hamat Mal-Mal, Dieudonné Guezza, Franklin Danague Passi, Rosamund F. Lewis, Augustin Balekouzou, Simon Pounguinza, Rémi Laganier, and Jean Charles Kounda Gboumbi
- Subjects
Primates ,ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species ,Biology ,Antibodies, Viral ,Risk Assessment ,Article ,Childhood immunization ,Aedes ,Yellow Fever ,medicine ,Animals ,Cluster Analysis ,Humans ,ved/biology ,Yellow fever ,Primate Diseases ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Outbreak ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Insect Vectors ,Central African Republic ,Vaccination ,Infectious Diseases ,Population Surveillance ,Vaccination coverage ,RNA, Viral ,Parasitology ,Yellow fever virus ,Aedes africanus ,Risk assessment - Abstract
Background Starting in 2008, the Central African Republic (CAR) experienced an unprecedented number of reported yellow fever (YF) cases. A risk assessment of YF virus (YFV) activity was conducted to estimate potential disease risk and vaccine needs. Methods A multistage cluster sampling design was used to sample humans, non-human primates, and mosquitoes in distinct ecologic zones. Humans and non-human primates were tested for YFV-specific antibodies; mosquitoes were tested for YFV RNA. Results Overall, 13.3% (125/938) of humans were found to have naturally-acquired YFV antibodies. Antibody levels were higher in zones in the southern and south central regions of CAR. All sampled non-human primates (n=56) were known YFV reservoirs; one tested positive for YFV antibodies. Several known YF vectors were identified including Aedes africanus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. luteocephalus, and Ae. simpsoni. Several more urban locations were found to have elevated Breateau and Container indices for Ae. aegypti. Conclusions A country-wide assessment of YF risk found YFV to be endemic in CAR. The potential for future YF cases and outbreaks, however, varied by ecologic zone. Improved vaccination coverage through mass campaign and childhood immunization was recommended to mitigate the YF risk.
- Published
- 2014
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