J Erin Staples1, Mawlouth Diallo2, Kristen B Janusz3, Casimir Manengu4, Rosamund F Lewis5, William Perea5, Sergio Yactayo5, Amadou A Sall2. 1. Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA estaples@cdc.gov. 2. Institut Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Senegal. 3. Arboviral Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA. 4. World Health Organization, 1416 Bangui, Central African Republic. 5. World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
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.
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.
Authors: Fan Yang; Samuel Schildhauer; Sarah A Billeter; Melissa Hardstone Yoshimizu; Robert Payne; Mary Joyce Pakingan; Marco E Metzger; Kelly A Liebman; Renjie Hu; Vicki Kramer; Kerry A Padgett Journal: J Med Entomol Date: 2020-07-04 Impact factor: 2.278