Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Banda, Louis; Ho, Antonia; Kasenda, Stephen; Read, Jonathan M.; Jewell, Chris; Price, Alison; McLean, Estelle; Dube, Albert; Chaima, David; Samikwa, Lyson; Nyirenda, Tonney S.; Hughes, Ellen C.; Willett, Brian J.; Mwale, Annie Chauma; Amoah, Abena S.; Crampin, Amelia

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2023.10.020

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…This was demonstrated during the recent COVID pandemic, when MEIRU rapidly established the first SARS-CoV-2 PCR laboratory in the northern region to support the Public Health Institute of Malawi's response, and was able to conduct large immuno-epidemiological studies and contribute staff time to the emergency expert committees and other national and regional initiatives. [11][12][13] The ultimate result of this process, the reduction of leprosy to very low levels in Karonga (averaging only 1 case per year for the last decade, most of them from outside the district) and the evolution of a leprosy project into a major national resource for medical and public health research in Malawi, may serve as a model for how the leprosy endgame can be managed. Lepra and its supporters, and by extension the entire leprosy community, can and should take pride in this history.…”

Section: From Kps To Meirumentioning

confidence: 99%

The leprosy endgame in Malawi: From leprosy control project to national public health resource

Crampin,

Nyirenda,

Fine

2024

LEPROSY

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Leprosy is in decline in most endemic countries around the world. A Lepra-supported project in Malawi has evolved over the last 50 years from a unit initially dedicated solely to the study of leprosy epidemiology and control, to one that can apply its expertise and experience in an ever-widening array of public health challenges. The ultimate result of this process, the reduction of leprosy to very low levels in Karonga (averaging only 1 case per year for the last decade, most of them from outside the district) and the evolution of a leprosy project into a major national resource for medical and public health research in Malawi, may serve as a model for how the leprosy endgame can be managed.

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Section: From Kps To Meirumentioning

confidence: 99%

The leprosy endgame in Malawi: From leprosy control project to national public health resource

Crampin,

Nyirenda,

Fine

2024

LEPROSY

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Prevalence of Endemic Respiratory Viruses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Urban and Rural Malawi

Vink,

Banda,

Amoah

et al. 2023

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

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Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted respiratory virus circulation. Malawi employed multiple NPI but did not impose a “lockdown”. We aimed to investigate endemic respiratory virus circulation patterns in urban and rural Malawi during this period. Methods Within a prospective cohort of randomly selected households in an urban and rural community in Malawi, adult participants provided upper respiratory tract samples at four timepoints, between February 2021 and April 2022. PCR for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other endemic respiratory viruses was performed. Results 1626 URT samples from 945 participants in 542 households were included. Overall, 7.6% (n = 123) of samples were PCR-positive for 1 respiratory virus; SARS-CoV-2 (4.4%) and rhinovirus (2.0%) were most frequently detected. No influenza A virus was detected. Influenza B and RSV were rare. Significantly higher levels of virus positivity were detected in the rural setting, and at earlier timepoints. Co-infections were infrequent (0.2%; n = 3). Conclusion Endemic respiratory viruses circulated in the community in Malawi during the pandemic, although influenza and RSV were rarely detected. Distinct differences in virus positivity and demographics were observed between urban and rural cohorts. Ongoing surveillance is needed to monitor the impact of continuing co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 with endemic respiratory viruses.

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Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Cited by 2 publications

References 23 publications

The leprosy endgame in Malawi: From leprosy control project to national public health resource

The leprosy endgame in Malawi: From leprosy control project to national public health resource

Prevalence of Endemic Respiratory Viruses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Urban and Rural Malawi

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