MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) outside the Arabian Peninsula an One Health approach: Understanding the role of wildlife, livestock and human in the virus dynamic

One of the big paradoxes of the MERS-CoV epidemiology is the apparent lack of human cases in large parts Africa where the virus and an animal host, the dromedary camel, are present. Understanding the differences between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (where MERS-CoV is now endemic) would provide crucial understanding on how to reduce zoonotic infection. We set up field protocols for estimating (i) the prevalence of MERS-CoV infection in camel populations and other sensitive species outside Arabian Peninsula, (ii) the 'at risk' farming practices that facilitate transmission between camels, (iii) infection variation pattern in both camels and humans. The first project phase consisted in a descriptive serological and virological mapping of MERS-CoV in Africa and central Asia in camel populations (i.e. dromedary and Bactrian).The second project phase consists in a longitudinal epidemiological monitoring (monthly time step) in camel populations from Morocco and Ethiopia (blood, swabs, urine, milk); complemented by a questionnaire based survey of camel owners' practices. Finally, in parallel a cross-sectional sero-prevalence survey in human, particularly camel owners and animal workers in abattoirs is conducted by the Institut Pasteur in Morocco. A cross-sectional sero-prevalence survey is e also conducted on bats in houses and 'oasis' close to farms in Ethiopia. Addressing these questions is crucial for developing recommendations for animal and human health institutions and countries

Risk factors for MERS coronavirus infection in dromedary camels in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Morocco, 2015

Understanding Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) transmission in dromedary camels is important, as they consitute a source of zoonotic infection to humans. To identify risk factors for MERS-CoV infection in camels bred in diverse conditions in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Morocco, blood samples and nasal swabs were sampled in February-March 2015. A relatively high MERS-CoV RNA rate was detected in Ethiopia (up to 15.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.2-28.0), followed by Burkina Faso (up to 12.2%; 95% CI: 7-20.4) and Morocco (up to 7.6%; 95% CI: 1.9-26.1). The RNA detection rate was higher in camels bred for milk or meat than in camels for transport (p = 0.01) as well as in younger camels (p = 0.06). High seropositivity rates (up to 100%; 95% CI: 100-100 and 99.4%; 95% CI: 95.4-99.9) were found in Morocco and Ethiopia, followed by Burkina Faso (up to 84.6%; 95% CI: 77.2-89.9). Seropositivity rates were higher in large/medium herds (≥51 camels) than small herds (p = 0.061), in camels raised for meat or milk than for transport (p = 0.01), and in nomadic or sedentary herds than in herds with a mix of these lifestyles (p < 0.005).published_or_final_versio

Brucellosis in West and Central Africa: A review of the current situation in a changing landscape of dairy cattle systems

Brucellosis is a neglected endemic zoonosis in West and Central Africa. In this narrative review, evidence of livestock and human infection is presented along with details of past and current control strategies in 14 selected countries. Data from available literature is combined with expert opinion elicited during a regional workshop on brucellosis diagnostics. Demographic changes that affect both the epidemiology of brucellosis and the success of control or surveillance are also considered. The evidence suggests that brucellosis prevalence in emerging peri-urban dairy cattle systems may be higher than that found in traditional transhumant extensive systems. Accurate microbiological and epidemiological evidence across the region is lacking but it appears there is inherent interest in controlling the disease. There are many data gaps which require collaborative future research to evaluate fully the social and economic impact of the disease in an evolving livestock sector heavily influenced by high rates of urbanisation and regional population growth

Large-scale international validation of an indirect ELISA based on recombinant nucleocapsid protein of rift valley fever virus for the detection of IgG antibody in domestic ruminants

Diagnostic performance of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) based on a recombinant nucleocapsid protein (rNP) of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) was validated for the detection of the IgG antibody in sheep (n = 3367), goat (n = 2632), and cattle (n = 3819) sera. Validation data sets were dichotomized according to the results of a virus neutralization test in sera obtained from RVF-endemic (Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda, and Yemen) and RVF-free countries (France, Poland, and the USA). Cut-off values were defined using the two-graph receiver operating characteristic analysis. Estimates of the diagnostic specificity of the RVFV rNP I-ELISA in animals from RVF-endemic countries ranged from 98.6% (cattle) to 99.5% (sheep) while in those originating from RVF-free countries, they ranged from 97.7% (sheep) to 98.1% (goats). Estimates of the diagnostic sensitivity in ruminants from RVF-endemic countries ranged from 90.7% (cattle) to 100% (goats). The results of this large-scale international validation study demonstrate the high diagnostic accuracy of the RVFV rNP I-ELISA. Standard incubation and inactivation procedures evaluated did not have an adverse effect on the detectable levels of the anti-RVFV IgG in ruminant sera and thus, together with recombinant antigen-based I-ELISA, provide a simple, safe, and robust diagnostic platform that can be automated and carried out outside expensive bio-containment facilities. These advantages are particularly important for less-resourced countries where there is a need to accelerate and improve RVF surveillance and research on epidemiology as well as to advance disease control measures.The International Atomic Energy Agencyhttp://www.mdpi.com/journal/virusespm2021Medical Virolog

Evaluation des pertes en veaux par abattage des femelles gravides a l’abattoir frigorifique de ouagadougou

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Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Virus neutralization Test (VNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Seroneutralisation Test (SNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

Enquête sur les causes de mortalité des pintadeaux au Burkina Faso

Cette étude sur les causes de mortalité des pintadeaux, Numida meleagris, a comporté une enquête conduite dans huit provinces du Burkina Faso chez 114 éleveurs et une série d'études réalisées sur 58 élevages localisés sur une aire plus réduite de cinq provinces avec le suivi quotidien de 3 017 pintadeaux âgés de 0 à 3 mois. L'enquête a révélé, d'une part, un taux global de mortalité de 73 % des pintadeaux et, d'autre part, de grandes insuffisances des techniques d'élevage de la pintade en matière d'habitat, de chauffage, d'alimentation, d'abreuvement et de santé. Au niveau du suivi quotidien de 3 017 pintadeaux, il a été trouvé que les taux de mortalité étaient de l'ordre de 80 % dans les élevages améliorés et traditionnels et que la période de mortalité maximale se situait en août pendant la saison pluvieuse. Les germes isolés sur les élevages traditionnels ou améliorés étaient : Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., Pseudornonas sp., Proteus sp. et Candida albicans. Quant aux parasites, les types suivants ont été identifiés : des trichomonades, des coccidies, des ascaris, des ténias et des spirures du genre Tetrameres. Cette étude a montré que les causes de mortalité des pintadeaux au Burkina Faso étaient multifactorielles et que toute opération d'amélioration de la méléagriculture (production de pintade) devrait, en plus des conditions d'élevage, tenir compte des infections simultanées, de l'âge et de la saison.</jats:p

Enquete sero-epidemiologique sur la tuberculose, la brucellose, la toxoplasmose, la rhinotracheite infectiuse et les salmonelles abortives chez les animaux bresiliens introduits au Bukinafaso

A survey on tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis, toxoplasmosis and abortive salmonellosis has been carried out in Brazilian breeds (Gyr and Gyrolando) introduced in Burkina Faso. The study has concerned two livestock system : The modern system with two herds located in Koubri and Loumbila (rearing station of the Centre National d’Elevage et d’Amélioration Génétique (CNEAG). The traditional system with the agro-pastoral zone’s herd of Kikideni, eastern Burkina Faso. Animals (n = 273) have been tested for the presence of tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine infectious rhinotrachetis (IBR), toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis.Results have shown a prevalence of 16.42%, 7.32%, 3%, 77.73%, and 76.04%of for brucellosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, bovine infectious rhinotracheitis and abortive salmonellosis respectively. Results have also revealed a high seroprevalence rate for abortive diseases which are not routinely diagnosed in Burkina Faso such as toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis and the presence of multiple abortive infections within the same animal. This survey suggested systematic control of abortive diseases which could improve animal productivity