The number of sporadic and epidemic dengue fever cases have reportedly been increasing in recent years in some West African countries, such as Senegal and Mali. The first epidemic of laboratory-confirmed dengue occurred in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania situated in the Saharan desert, in 2014. On-site diagnosis of dengue fever was established using a rapid diagnostic test for dengue. In parallel, the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the city was confirmed. The initial diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR, which showed that all samples from the 2014 dengue epidemic in Nouakchott were dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). The whole genome or envelope protein gene of these strains, together with other DENV-2 strains obtained from travelers returning from West African countries to France between 2016 and 2019 (including two Mauritanian strains in 2017 and 2018), were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis suggested a recent emergence of an epidemic strain from the cosmopolitan genotype belonging to West African cosmopolitan lineage II, which is genetically distinct from African sylvatic genotype. The origin of this DENV-2 lineage is still unknown, but our data seem to suggest a recent and rapid dispersion of the epidemic strain throughout the region. More complete genome sequences of West African DENV-2 are required for a better understanding of the dynamics of its circulation. Arboviral surveillance and outbreak forecasting are urgently needed in West Africa.
Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic arbovirosis. Humans are infected by tick bites or contact with blood of infected animals. CCHF can be responsible for severe outbreaks due to human-to-human transmission. Objectives The aims of the study were to increase awareness and promote the search for risk factors and disease monitoring to prevent CCHF epidemic, capacity building of laboratory diagnosis, appropriate measures to treat CCHF virus-infected patients, and information for the local population. Methods During the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in Mauritania from February to May 2022, blood samples were collected from 88 patients suspected to be infected with the virus. Viral diagnosis was established by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the laboratory of the National Institute of Public Health Research in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Results CCHF was confirmed by RT-PCR in 7 of 88 (8%) patients. Ticks were found in cattle, sheep, or goats in the areas where the subjects resided, with the exception of one CCHFV-positive patient in close contact with fresh animal meat. Exposure to potential risk factors for CCHF virus infection was found in all patients. The interval between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission was 2–3 days. All seven patients were admitted to our hospital and treated promptly by blood transfusion. Two patients died. Conclusion Mortality is very high in patients with the hemorrhagic form of CCHF. Disease prevention is necessary by strengthening vector control, avoiding contact and consumption of organic products from diseased animals, and vaccinating animals in areas where the disease is endemic. Furthermore, it is essential to establish management procedures for patients infected with CCHF virus.
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