Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qianxin Wu, Chenqu Suo, Tom Brown, Tengyao Wang, Sarah A. Teichmann, Andrew R. Bassett
Summary: INSIGHT is a two-stage COVID-19 testing strategy that combines point-of-care diagnosis with next-generation sequencing to achieve population-scale testing; the first stage provides quick decentralized readout, aiming for early isolation of asymptomatic patients and gives results within 1 to 2 hours; the second stage confirms near-patient testing results and facilitates centralized data collection.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Madjid Morsli, Agathe Boudet, Quentin Kerharo, Robin Stephan, Florian Salipante, Catherine Dunyach-Remy, Linda Houhamdi, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Jean Philippe Lavigne, Michel Drancourt
Summary: Real-time metagenomics (RTM) applied directly to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enables the identification, typing, and susceptibility profiling of pathogens responsible for community-acquired meningitis. It provides supplementary information on bacterial profiling and genotyping.
Review
Microbiology
Madjid Morsli, Jean Philippe Lavigne, Michel Drancourt
Summary: Current routine diagnosis of community-acquired meningitis is limited in its ability to test for pathogens and their characteristics. Metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) can provide real-time diagnosis and surveillance of causative pathogens, with cost competitiveness. The implementation of mNGS as part of routine investigations can improve the diagnosis and molecular epidemiology of community-acquired meningitis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Jonah Alderson, Heather A. Sander
Summary: The study highlights the importance of understanding local-level changes in bird communities during periods of rapid anthropogenic change. By integrating historical accounts with contemporary data, the researchers identified an increase in species richness in Johnson County, Iowa, USA, mainly due to colonization by exotic species. While the relative abundance of most bird groups remained similar, some groups decreased in abundance, shedding light on how avian communities change over relatively small extents.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chishimba Mubanga, Inge Van Damme, Chiara Trevisan, Veronika Schmidt, Isaac K. Phiri, Gideon Zulu, John Noh, Sukwan Handali, Richard Mambo, Mwelwa Chembensofu, Maxwell Masuku, Dries Reynders, Famke Jansen, Emmanuel Bottieau, Pascal Magnussen, Andrea S. Winkler, Pierre Dorny, Kabemba E. Mwape, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the new TS POC CC test in the Sinda district in eastern Zambia, showing a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 87%. Current diagnostic performance needs to be further improved.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Philomena Raftery, Csaba Kodmon, Marieke J. van der Werf, Vladyslav Nikolayevskyy
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christopher J. E. Haggerty, Sidy Bakhoum, David J. Civitello, Giulio A. De Leo, Nicholas Jouanard, Raphael A. Ndione, Justin V. Remais, Gilles Riveau, Simon Senghor, Susanne H. Sokolow, Souleymane Sow, Caitlin Wolfe, Chelsea L. Wood, Isabel Jones, Andrew J. Chamberlin, Jason R. Rohr
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
L. Y. Sovann, B. Sar, V Kab, S. Yann, M. Kinzer, P. Raftery, R. Albalak, S. Patel, P. Long Hay, H. Seng, S. Um, S. Chin, D. Chau, A. Khalakdina, E. Karlsson, S. J. Olsen, J. A. Mott
Summary: The circulation of influenza viruses increased following the relaxation of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Cambodia, with an outbreak in a pagoda highlighting the importance of continued surveillance and influenza vaccination to limit global impact.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caitlin M. Wolfe, Esther L. Hamblion, Emmanuel K. Dzotsi, Franck Mboussou, Isabelle Eckerle, Antoine Flahault, Claudia T. Codeco, Jaime Corvin, Janice C. Zgibor, Olivia Keiser, Benido Impouma
Summary: The WHO African region has been facing frequent outbreaks and epidemics of infectious diseases, exacerbated by weak health systems and infrastructure. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy was developed in 1998 to address these issues. Challenges and successes surrounding the implementation of this strategy were identified through a systematic review of published literature, highlighting areas for improvement and further research.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
George Sie Williams, Benido Impouma, Franck Mboussou, Theresa Min-Hyung Lee, Opeayo Ogundiran, Charles Okot, Tatiana Metcalf, Mary Stephen, Senait Tekeste Fekadu, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Bridget Farham, Cristina Hofer, Bertil Wicht, Claudia Codeco Tores, Antoine Flahault, Olivia Keiser
Summary: The study reviewed epidemic intelligence activities conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa from 2017 to 2020. Media monitoring played a crucial role in the initial detection of outbreaks, with the most common outbreaks being vaccine-preventable diseases. Rapid risk assessments provided evidence and formed the basis for WHO to trigger operational processes to support member states in responding to outbreaks with potential for international spread.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benido Impouma, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Franck Mboussou, Bridget Farham, Tessa Saturday, Cyril Pervilhac, Nsarhaza Bishikwabo, Tamayi Mlanda, Arish Bukhari Muhammad, Fleury Moussana, Ambrose Talisuna, Humphrey Karamagi, Olivia Keiser, Antoine Flahault, Joseph Cabore, Matshidiso Moeti
Summary: Monitoring and evaluation are crucial for public health emergency response, with specific indicators developed for tracking the COVID-19 pandemic response. The interdisciplinary task force used strategic preparedness and response pillars to define indicators, supporting countries in tailored monitoring and evaluation.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benido Impouma, Franck Mboussou, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Bridget Farham, George Sie Williams, Opeayo Ogundiran, Roland Ngom, Milse Nzingou, Antoine Flahault, Claudia Torres Codeco, Ambrose Talisuna, Zabulon Yoti, Olivia Keiser
Summary: Successive waves of COVID-19 transmission have led to exponential increases in new infections globally. This study assessed the risk of continuing transmission in 46 countries in Africa, with the majority at community transmission stage and limited health system response capacity. Enhanced assistance is needed to prevent further escalation of the risk.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Philomena Raftery, Mazeda Hossain, Jennifer Palmer
Summary: The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) was established after the West African Ebola epidemic to address critical gaps and leverage institutional strengths through a government-academic partnership. The team's triple mandate of response, research, and capacity building established it as novel in global epidemic response, with key governance decisions key to its success in addressing complex missions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Franck Mboussou, Benido Impouma, Bridget Farham, Caitlin M. Wolfe, George Sie Williams, Roland Ngom, Milse Nzingou, Aziza Merzouki, Erol Orel, Yahaya Ali Ahmed, Olivia Keiser, Matshidiso R. Moeti
Summary: This study analyzed the reported incidence of COVID-19 and associated factors in the WHO African region, finding that an increasing urban population percentage was associated with low incidence, while increasing SARS-CoV-2 testing per 10,000 population and the proportion of population aged 15-64 years were associated with high incidence. The findings stress the importance of increasing and decentralizing testing capacities and adjusting testing strategies to target at-risk populations in the face of limited testing capacities and overwhelmed health systems.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benido Impouma, George Sie Williams, Fleury Moussana, Franck Mboussou, Bridget Farham, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Charles Okot, Katrina Downing, Claudia Codeco Tores, Antoine Flahault, Cyril Pervilhac, Georges Ki-Zerbo, Peter Clement, Steven Shongwe, Olivia Keiser, Ibrahima Soce Fall
Summary: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the three West African countries at the centre of the Ebola outbreak, implemented rapid readiness and response measures in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have been influenced by lessons learned from the devastating Ebola epidemic.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benido Impouma, Franck Mboussou, Bridget Farham, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Krys Johnson, Catherine Clary, Richard Mihigo, Ngoy Nsenga, Ambrose Talisuna, Zabulon Yoti, Antoine Flahault, Olivia Keiser, Abdou Salam Gueye, Joseph Cabore, Matshidiso Moeti
Summary: The study describes the epidemiological trajectory of COVID-19 in the African region, summarizes the public health and social measures implemented, and discusses their impact on the pandemic trajectory.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Benido Impouma, Franck Mboussou, Cyrus Shahpar, Caitlin M. Wolfe, Bridget Farham, George Sie Williams, Humphrey Karamagi, Roland Ngom, Ngoy Nsenga, Antoine Flahault, Claudia Torres Codeco, Zabulon Yoti, Francis Kasolo, Olivia Keiser
Summary: As of 03 January 2021, the WHO African region has been the least affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about the accuracy of reported cases and deaths reflecting the true burden of the disease, as well as how monitoring the trajectory of the pandemic can inform response measures. Retrospective estimates using a prevalence calculator tool showed a low detection rate in most countries of the region, suggesting the need to strengthen testing capacities for SARS-CoV-2 and adjust testing strategies.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Nagbe, Kwuakuan Yealue, Trokon Yeabah, Julius Monday Rude, Musoka Fallah, Laura Skrip, Chukwuemeka Agbo, Nuha Mouhamoud, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Roland Tuopileyi, Ambrose Talisuna, Ali Ahmed Yahaya, Soatiana Rajatonirina, Joseph Asamoah Frimpong, Mary Stephen, Esther Hamblion, Tolbert Nyenswah, Bernice Dahn, Alex Gasasira, Ibrahima Soce Fall
PAN AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Nagbe, George Sie Williams, Julius Monday Rude, Sumor Flomo, Trokon Yeabah, Mosoka Fallah, Laura Skrip, Chukwuemeka Agbo, Nuha Mahmoud, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Kwuakuan Yealue, Ambrose Talisuna, Ali Ahmed Yahaya, Soatiana Rajatonirina, Adolphus Clarke, Esther Hamblion, Tolbert Nyenswah, Bernice Dahn, Alex Gasasira, Ibrahima Soce Fall
PAN AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Victoria Katawera, Henry Kohar, Nuha Mahmoud, Philomena Raftery, Christine Wasunna, Ben Humrighouse, Patrick Hardy, John Saindon, Randal Schoepp, Monear Makvandi, Lisa Hensley, Orla Condell, Kara Durski, Shalini Singaravelu, Laetitia Gahimbare, Gene Olinger, Francis Kateh, Dhamari Naidoo, Peter Nsubuga, Pierre Formenty, Tolbert Nyenswah, Sheick Oumar Coulibaly, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Ambrose Talisuna, Ali Ahmed Yahaya, Soatiana Rajatonirina, Desmond Williams, Bernice Dahn, Alex Gasasira, Ibrahima Soce Fall
PAN AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
