Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.
Laboratoire de la géo-biodiversité et patrimoine naturel, centre GEOPAC, institut scientifique-Rabat, Université Mohamed V. Maroc
AbstractLeishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of female sand fly. These parasitic infections are the second most common cause of parasite mortality worldwide after malaria and are endemic Asian and African countries. In Morocco, they pose a real health problem. The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiological situation of these diseases in the city of El Hajeb in central Morocco, analyze their evolution according to sex and age and assess their geographical distribution according to the environment. To do this, we carried out a retrospective study during the period from 2013 to 2017, collecting all the new cases of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis declared in this city. Data were collected at the register level from the delegation of the Ministry of health of El Hajeb. A total of twentyone new cases were declared infected. The coexistence of the two forms of leishmaniasis: 80.95% of cutaneous forms and 19.05% of the visceral form
Background. Equipment and hospital surfaces constitute a microbial reservoir that can contaminate hospital users and thus create an infectious risk. The aim of this work, which was carried out for the first time at a hospital in Meknes (regional hospital in the center of Morocco), is to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and equipment in three potential risk areas (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service). Methods. This study was carried out over a period of 4 months (February–May 2017). A total of 60 samples were taken by swabbing according to the standard (ISO/DIS 14698-1 (2004)) in an environment of dry area and equipment after biocleaning. Isolation and identification were performed according to conventional bacteriological methods and by microscopic observation for fungi. Results. The study showed that 40% of surface samples were contaminated after biocleaning. The burn unit recorded a percentage of 70% contamination (p value <0.001), 13% for the sterilization service, and 7% for the operating room. 89% of the isolates were identified as Gram-positive bacteria against 11% for fungi (p value <0.001). Bacterial identification showed coagulase-negative staphylococci (32%), Bacillus spp. (16%), Corynebacterium (8%), and oxidase-negative Gram-positive bacillus (40%) while fungal identification showed Aspergillus niger (n = 2) and Aspergillus nidulans (n = 1). Conclusion. To control the infectious risk related to equipment and hospital surfaces, it would be necessary to evaluate the disinfection protocol applied in these units.
The hospital environment, especially medical devices and surfaces, represents a secondary reservoir for pathogens. This work aims to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and medical equipment of controlled environment services (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service) at a hospital in Meknes (center of Morocco). This study was carried out for three months (September-December of 2017). A total of 63 samples were taken by swabbing technique from different surfaces and medical equipment after bio-cleaning. Identification was performed according to conventional bacteriological methods and by microscopic observation for fungi. The study showed that 68% of the surface was contaminated. The operating room recorded a rate of 93% of contamination (p-value <0.01), 83% for sterilization service, and 47% for burn unit. A percentage of 67% of the isolates were identified as Gram-positive bacteria against 32% Gram-negative bacteria (p-value <0.05). Bacterial identification showed Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (45%), Enterobacter cloacae (14%), Micrococcus sp (10%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, peptostreptococcus sp and Pseudomonas fluorescens (7% for each one), Escherichia coli, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (5% for each one). These results require corrective action represented by rigorous cleaning and disinfection procedures.
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