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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a nairovirus, is a tick-borne zoonotic virus that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans. The CCHFV nucleoprotein (NP) is the antigen most used for serological screening of CCHFV infection in animals and humans. To gain insights into antibody epitopes on the NP molecule, we produced recombinant chimeric NPs between CCHFV and Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV), which is another nairovirus, and tested rabbit and mouse antisera/immune ascites, anti-NP monoclonal antibodies, and CCHFV-infected animal/human sera for their reactivities to the NP antigens. We found that the amino acids at positions 161-320 might include dominant epitopes recognized by anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies, whereas cross-reactivity between anti-CCHFV and anti-NSDV antibodies was limited. Their binding capacities were further tested using a series of synthetic peptides whose sequences were derived from CCHFV NP. IgG antibodies in CCHFV-infected monkeys and patients were reactive to some of the synthetic peptide antigens (e.g., amino acid residues at positions 131-150 and 211-230). Only a few peptides were recognized by IgG antibodies in the anti-NSDV serum. These results provide useful information to improve NP-based antibody detection assays as well as antigen detection tests relying on anti-NP monoclonal antibodies.

La Guinée et la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) sont deux pays confrontés à des maladies zoonotiques (ré)émergentes, lesquelles représentent de graves menaces pour la santé publique et pour l’économie. Cela renforce l’importance de mettre l'accent sur les approches interdisciplinaires pour la prévention, la détection et l’atténuation des maladies infectieuses afin de mettre en place des systèmes de réponses adéquats. Dans les dernières années, des efforts ont été fournis dans les deux pays pour la conception, la mise en œuvre et la promotion de l’approche “Une Seule Santé” (One Health) qui offre des solutions à l’interface homme-animal-plante-écosystèmes. Cependant, dans ces pays, il n’existe pas une approche systémique “Une Seule Santé” qui soit réellement opérationnelle. Ainsi, cet article vise à faire une analyse comparative des initiatives « One Health » (OH) en Guinée et en RDC. Les résultats suggèrent qu'il existe un engagement fort de la part du gouvernement guinéen à signer un ordre conjoint de collaboration entre les trois départements clés, mais la coopération et la collaboration entre les différents secteurs et disciplines font défaut. En RDC, trois plateformes existent, mais leurs actions ne sont pas coordonnées, ce qui démontre les lacunes dans la vision globale que devrait avoir l’approche OH. Le défi majeur dans ces deux pays est d'adopter une approche holistique pour dépasser les structures et les paradigmes organisationnels et disciplinaires pour développer une véritable coopération entre tous les secteurs directement ou indirectement touchés par les maladies à potentiel épidémique. Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are two countries facing (re)emerging zoonotic diseases, which pose serious threats to public health and the economy. This reinforces the importance of emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches for the prevention, detection, and mitigation of infectious diseases to put in place adequate response systems. In recent

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly transmissible and devastating disease that affects poultry and wild birds worldwide. Comprehensive knowledge regarding the characteristics and epidemiological factors of the ND virus (NDV) is critical for the control and prevention of ND. Effective vaccinations can prevent and control the spread of the NDV in poultry populations. For decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the impacts of ND on commercial and traditional poultry farming systems. The reports were preliminary clinical observations, and few cases were confirmed in the laboratory. However, data on the phylogenetic, genetic, and virological characteristics of NDVs circulating in the DRC are not available. In this study, the whole-genome sequences of three NDV isolates obtained using the next-generation sequencing method revealed two isolates that were a new variant of NDV, and one isolate that was clustered in the subgenotype VII.2. All DRC isolates were velogenic and were antigenically closely related to the vaccine strains. Our findings reveal that despite the circulation of the new variant, ND can be controlled in the DRC using the current vaccine. However, epidemiological studies should be conducted to elucidate the endemicity of the disease so that better control strategies can be implemented.

In order to identify circulating trypanosomes in Kinshasa, Mbanza Ngungu, Masi Manimba and Mushie domestic animals and to determine their prevalence by PCR, a longitudinal study was conducted. 1653 blood samples were collected from domestic animals in the Kinshasa, Mbanza Ngungu, Masi Manimba and Mushie households, of which 22 were positive for Trypanosoma congolense Forest, corresponding to a gross prevalence of 1.3%. As for households, Kinshasa had a prevalence of 2.5%, Mbanza Ngungu a prevalence of 2.4%, Masi Manimba without any prevalence and Mushie a prevalence of 1.3%. In relation to the seasons, the rainy season had a prevalence of 1.4% while the dry season had a prevalence of 1.3%. Regarding species, cattle had a prevalence of 0.9%, pigs a prevalence of 3.7%, sheep a prevalence of 1.4% and goats a prevalence of 0.7%. As for sex, males had a prevalence of 0.9% while females had a prevalence of 1.5%. This study showed that African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is declining among animals in these four locations Thus, clinicians in the field should take into account this new situation in their therapeutic strategy. Keywords: Trypanosoma sp, Domestic animals, West DRC, En vue d’identifier les trypanosomes circulants chez les animaux domestiques de Kinshasa, Mbanza-Ngungu, Masi-Manimba et Mushie et d’en déterminer les prévalences par PCR, une étude longitudinale a été menée. 1653 échantillons sanguins ont été prélevés chez les animaux domestiques dans les foyers de Kinshasa, Mbanza-Ngungu, Masi-Manimba et Mushie, dont 22 cas ont été positif au Trypanosoma congolense Forest, correspondant à une prévalence brute de 1,3%. Pour ce qui est des foyers, Kinshasa a eu une prévalence de 2,5%, Mbanza-Ngungu une prévalence de 2,4%, Masi-Manimba sans aucune prévalence et Mushie une prévalence de 1,3%. En rapport avec les saisons, la saison de pluie a eu une prévalence de 1,4%, alors que la saison sèche en a eu 1,3%. Concernant les espèces, les bovins ont eu une prévalence de 0,9%, les porcins une prévalence de 3,7%, les ovins une prévalence de 1,4% et les caprins une prévalence de 0,7%. Quant au sexe, les mâles ont eu une prévalence de 0,9%, alors que les femelles en ont eu 1,5%. Cette étude a montré que la Trypanosomiase Animale Africaine (TAA) serait en recul chez les animaux de ces quatre foyers. Ainsi, les cliniciens sur terrain devraient réorienter leur stratégie thérapeutique, en intégrant cette nouvelle donne. Mots clés: Trypanosoma sp, Animaux domestiques, Ouest RDC

In May 2017, high mortality of chickens and Muscovy ducks due to the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). In this study, we assessed the molecular, antigenic, and pathogenic features in poultry of the H5N8 HPAIV from the 2017 Congolese outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis of the eight viral gene segments revealed that all 12 DR Congo isolates clustered in clade 2.3.4.4B together with other H5N8 HPAIVs isolated in Africa and Eurasia, suggesting a possible common origin of these viruses. Antigenically, a slight difference was observed between the Congolese isolates and a representative virus from group C in the same clade. After intranasal inoculation with a representative DR Congo virus, high pathogenicity was observed in chickens and Muscovy ducks but not in Pekin ducks. Viral replication was higher in chickens than in Muscovy duck and Pekin duck organs; however, neurotropism was pronounced in Muscovy ducks. Our data confirmed the high pathogenicity of the DR Congo virus in chickens and Muscovy ducks, as observed in the field. National awareness and strengthening surveillance in the region are needed to better control HPAIVs.

The recent large outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have highlighted the need for rapid diagnostic tests to control this disease. In this study, we clinically evaluated a previously developed immunochromatography-based kit, QuickNavi(TM)-Ebola. During the 2018 outbreaks in DRC, 928 blood samples from EVD-suspected cases were tested with QuickNavi(TM)-Ebola and the WHO-approved GeneXpert. The sensitivity and specificity of QuickNavi(TM)-Ebola, estimated by comparing it to GeneXpert-confirmed cases, were 85% (68/80) and 99.8% (846/848), respectively. These results indicate the practical reliability of QuickNavi(TM)-Ebola for point-of-care diagnosis of EVD.

Connecting Organizations for Regional Disease Surveillance (CORDS), together with the Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance, organized an emergency meeting (September 1–2, 2014, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) to gather and collate first-hand experience from past Ebola outbreaks. The major aim was to identify key lessons that could inform current risk management. This meeting brought together a unique assembly consisting of scientists, policymakers, community and religious leaders, traditional healers, and media representatives from eastern and central Africa. They elucidated 3 major lessons that focus on improving communication, working with communities, and building and strengthening local capacity.