Rift Valley Fever Outbreak, Mauritania, 1998: Seroepidemiologic, Virologic, Entomologic, and Zoologic Investigations

Although mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are important disease vectors, information on their biodiversity in Mauritania is scarce and very dispersed in the literature. Data from the scientific literature gathered in the country from 1948 to 2016 were collected and analyzed. Overall 51 culicid species comprising 17 Anopheles spp., 14 Aedes spp., 18 Culex spp. and two Mansonia spp. have been described in Mauritania among which Anopheles arabiensis, Aedes vexans, Culex poicilipes and Culex antennatus are of epidemiological significance. Anopheles arabiensis is widely distributed throughout the country and its geographic distribution has increased northwards in recent years, shifting its northern limit form 17°32′N in the 1960s to 18°47′N today. Its presence in the central region of Tagant highlights the great ecological plasticity of the species. Conversely, the distribution of Anopheles gambiae (s.s.) and Anopheles melas has shrunk compared to that of the 1960s. Anopheles rhodesiensis and An. d’thali are mainly confined in the mountainous areas (alt. 200–700 m), whereas Anopheles pharoensis is widely distributed in the Senegal River basin. Culex poicilipes and Cx. antenattus were naturally found infected with Rift valley fever virus in central and northern Mauritania following the Rift valley outbreaks of 1998 and 2012. Recently, Ae. aegypti emerged in Nouakchott and is probably responsible for dengue fever episodes of 2015. This paper provides a concise and up-to-date overview of the existing literature on mosquito species known to occur in Mauritania and highlights areas where future studies should fill a gap in knowledge about vector biodiversity. It aims to help ongoing and future research on mosquitoes particularly in the field of medical entomology to inform evidence-based decision-making for vector control and management strategies.

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“…pharoensis (A, L) An. pharoensis (A, L)Adr, Asb, Brk, Grg, Hgh, Trz, Tag[8, 9, 18, 20, 22, 23, 35, 41–44, 47, 48] An. pretoriensis (L) An.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…poicilipes (A, L) Cx. poicilipes (A)Asb, Brk, Grg, Hgh, Tag, Trz[8, 9, 21, 23, 35, 41] Cx. ethiopicus (A, L) Cx.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mauritania: a review of their biodiversity, distribution and medical importance

et al. 2017

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“…In humans, a higher frequency of neurological signs was reported in than in previous epidemics. A further episode of virus activity in the region, first identified again through evidence of human disease, occurred in 1998, in the province of Hodh El Gharbi, south-east of Mauritania (Nabeth et al, 2001). In 2003, high level of viral circulation were also detected in the Ferlo (northen Senegal) characterized as semi-arid area with a dense temporary pond system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives on using remotely-sensed imagery in predictive veterinary epidemiology and global early warning systems

Martin¹,

Simone

Liu

et al. 2007

Geospat Health

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Abstract. Recent disease epidemics and their spread around the world have illustrated the weaknesses of disease surveillance and early warning systems (EWS), both at national and international levels. These diseases continuously threaten the livestock sector on a worldwide basis, some with major public health impact. EWS and accurate forecasting of new outbreaks of epidemic livestock diseases that may also affect wildlife, and the capacity for spread of such diseases to new areas is an essential pre-requisite to their effective containment and control. Because both the geographical and seasonal distribution of many infectious diseases are linked to climate, the possibility of using climaterelated environmental factors as predictive indicators, in association with regular disease surveillance activities, has proven to be relevant when establishing EWS for climate-related diseases. This article reviews the growing importance of using geographical information systems in predictive veterinary epidemiology and its integration into EWS, with a special focus on Rift Valley fever. It shows that, once fully validated in a country or region, this technology appears highly valuable and could play an increasing role in forecasting major epidemics, providing lead time to national veterinary services to take action to mitigate the impact of the disease in a cost-effective manner.

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“…The first major human epidemic occurred in 1951 in South Africa [6]. Since then, multiple outbreaks have been reported in different parts of Africa and the Middle East, notably in Egypt (1977, 2003) [8, 9], Kenya (1997–1998, 2006–2007) [10, 11], Tanzania (2007) [12], Somalia (2007), Saudi Arabia and Yemen (2000–2001) [4, 13], Sudan (2007, 2010) [7, 13], Mayotte (2008) [8], and Mauritania (1987, 1993–1994, 1998, 2003, 2010, 2012) [3, 9–13]. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe Human Illness Caused by Rift Valley Fever Virus in Mauritania, 2015

Boushab

Fall-Malick

Baba³

et al. 2016

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

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Background.Rift Valley Fever epizootics are characterized by numerous abortions and mortality among young animals. In humans, the illness is usually characterized by a mild self-limited febrile illness, which could progress to more serious complications.Objectives. The aim of the present prospective study was to describe severe clinical signs and symptoms of Rift Valley Fever in southern Mauritania.Patients and methods.Suspected cases were enrolled in Kiffa (Assaba) and Aleg (Brakna) Hospital Centers from September 1 to November 7, 2015, based on the presence of fever, hemorrhagic or meningoencephalitic syndromes, and probable contact with sick animals. Suspected cases were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results.There were thirty-one confirmed cases. The sex ratio M/F and the average age were 2.9 and 25 years old [range, 4-70 years old], respectively. Mosquito bites, direct contact with aborted or dead animals, and frequent ingestion of milk from these animals were risk factors observed in all patients. Hemorrhagic and neurological manifestations were observed in 81% and 13% of cases, respectively. The results of laboratory analysis showed high levels of transaminases, creatinine, and urea associated with thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. All patients who died (42%) had a hemorrhagic syndrome and 3 of them had a neurological complication. Among the cured patients, none had neurologic sequelae.Conclusion.The hemorrhagic form was the most common clinical manifestation of RVF found in southern Mauritania and was responsible for a high mortality rate. Our results justify the implementation of a continuous epidemiological surveillance.

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Rift Valley Fever Outbreak, Mauritania, 1998: Seroepidemiologic, Virologic, Entomologic, and Zoologic Investigations

Cited by 77 publications

References 5 publications

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mauritania: a review of their biodiversity, distribution and medical importance

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mauritania: a review of their biodiversity, distribution and medical importance

Perspectives on using remotely-sensed imagery in predictive veterinary epidemiology and global early warning systems

Severe Human Illness Caused by Rift Valley Fever Virus in Mauritania, 2015

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