Molecular Evidence of Human Monkeypox Virus Infection, Sierra Leone.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Ye F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6537715 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Objective:To evaluate changes in Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices during the Sierra Leone outbreak between 2014 and 2015. Methods:Four cluster surveys were conducted: two before the outbreak peak (3499 participants) and two after (7104 participants). We assessed the effect of temporal and geographical factors on 16 knowledge, attitude and practice outcomes. Findings:Fourteen of 16 knowledge, attitude and prevention practice outcomes improved across all regions from before to after the outbreak peak. The proportion of respondents willing to: (i) welcome Ebola survivors back into the community increased from 60.0% to 89.4% (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 6.0; 95% confidence interval, CI: 3.9-9.1); and (ii) wait for a burial team following a relative's death increased from 86.0% to 95.9% (aOR: 4.4; 95% CI: 3.2-6.0). The proportion avoiding unsafe traditional burials increased from 27.3% to 48.2% (aOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.4-4.2) and the proportion believing spiritual healers can treat Ebola decreased from 15.9% to 5.0% (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.3). The likelihood respondents would wait for burial teams increased more in high-transmission (aOR: 6.2; 95% CI: 4.2-9.1) than low-transmission (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.8) regions. Self-reported avoidance of physical contact with corpses increased in high but not low-transmission regions, aOR: 1.9 (95% CI: 1.4-2.5) and aOR: 0.8 (95% CI: 0.6-1.2), respectively. Conclusion:Ebola knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices improved during the Sierra Leone outbreak, especially in high-transmission regions. Behaviourally-targeted community engagement should be prioritized early during outbreaks.
| S-EPMC7265950 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesUnderstanding the rural-urban context-specific correlates of skilled birth attendance (SBA) is important to designing relevant strategies and programmes. This analysis aimed to assess for the rural-urban correlates of SBA in Sierra Leone.SettingThe latest nationally representative Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey of 2019.ParticipantsThe study included a weighted sample of 7326 women aged 15-49 years. Each of them had a live birth within 5 years prior to the survey (4531 in rural areas and 2795 women in urban areas).Primary and secondary outcome measureSBA (primary) and predictors of SBA (secondary).ResultsSBA was higher in urban areas at 94.9% (95% CI 94.1% to 95.7%) compared with 84.2% (95% CI 83.8% to 85.9%) in rural areas. Rural women resident in the Southern, Northern and Eastern regions, with postprimary education (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5), exposure to mass media (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9), not having difficulties with distance to the nearest health facility (aOR 2.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.0) were associated with higher odds of SBA. Urban women resident in the Southern, Eastern region, with households having less than seven members (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3), exposure to mass media (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9) and not having difficulties with distance to the nearest health facility (aOR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) were associated with higher odds of SBA.ConclusionGiven the observed differences, improving SBA requires programmes and strategies that are context-specific.
| S-EPMC8961150 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Little is known about potentially modifiable factors in Ebola virus disease in children. We undertook a retrospective cohort study of children <13 years old admitted to 11 Ebola holding units in the Western Area, Sierra Leone, during 2014-2015 to identify factors affecting outcome. Primary outcome was death or discharge after transfer to Ebola treatment centers. All 309 Ebola virus-positive children 2 days-12 years old were included; outcomes were available for 282 (91%). Case-fatality was 57%, and 55% of deaths occurred in Ebola holding units. Blood test results showed hypoglycemia and hepatic/renal dysfunction. Death occurred swiftly (median 3 days after admission) and was associated with younger age and diarrhea. Despite triangulation of information from multiple sources, data availability was limited, and we identified no modifiable factors substantially affecting death. In future Ebola virus disease epidemics, robust, rapid data collection is vital to determine effectiveness of interventions for children.
| S-EPMC5038433 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic to parts of West Africa and causes highly fatal hemorrhagic fever. The multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) is the only known reservoir of LASV. Most human infections result from zoonotic transmission. The very diverse LASV genome has 4 major lineages associated with different geographic locations. We used reverse transcription PCR and resequencing microarrays to detect LASV in 41 of 214 samples from rodents captured at 8 locations in Sierra Leone. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of nucleoprotein (NP), glycoprotein precursor (GPC), and polymerase (L) genes showed 5 separate clades within lineage IV of LASV in this country. The sequence diversity was higher than previously observed; mean diversity was 7.01% for nucleoprotein gene at the nucleotide level. These results may have major implications for designing diagnostic tests and therapeutic agents for LASV infections in Sierra Leone.
| S-EPMC4378485 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC3310125 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We generated genome sequences from 218 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone (SLE) during 2014⁻2015 to complement available datasets, particularly by including cases from a period of low sequence coverage during peak transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) in the highly-affected Western Area division of SLE. The combined dataset was utilized to produce phylogenetic and phylodynamic inferences, to study sink⁻source dynamics and virus dispersal from highly-populated transmission hotspots. We identified four districts in SLE where EBOV was introduced and transmission occurred without onward exportation to other districts. We also identified six districts that substantially contributed to the dispersal of the virus and prolonged the EVD outbreak: five of these served as major hubs, with lots of movement in and out, and one acted primarily as a source, exporting the virus to other areas of the country. Positive correlations between case numbers, inter-district transition events, and district population sizes reaffirm that population size was a driver of EBOV transmission dynamics in SLE. The data presented here confirm the role of urban hubs in virus dispersal and of a delayed laboratory response in the expansion and perpetuation of the EVD outbreak in SLE.
| S-EPMC6356631 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus for which the reservoir host has not been identified. To study the role of dogs as potential hosts, we screened 300 serum samples from dogs in Sierra Leone and found EBOV neutralizing antibodies in 12, suggesting their susceptibility to natural infection.
| S-EPMC7101121 | biostudies-literature
Project description:At the height of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone in November 2014, a new decentralized approach to ending infection chains was adopted. This approach was based on building local, small-scale Community Care Centres (CCC) intended to serve as triage units for safe handling of patients waiting for test results, with subsequent transfer to Ebola Treatment Centers (ETC) for those who tested positive for Ebola. This paper deals with local response to the CCC, and explains, through qualitative analysis of focus group data sets, why this development was seen in a positive light. The responses of 562 focus group participants in seven villages with CCC and seven neighbouring referral villages without CCC are assessed. These data confirm that CCC are compatible with community values concerning access to, and family care for, the sick. Mixed reactions are reported in the case of "safe burial", a process that directly challenged ritual activity seen as vital to maintaining good relations between socially-enclaved rural families. Land acquisitions to build CCC prompted divided responses. This reflects problems about land ownership unresolved since colonial times between communities and government. The study provides insights into how gaps in understanding between international Ebola responders and local communities can be bridged.
| S-EPMC6994168 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC9536767 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Dengue virus (DENV) is thought to have emerged from a sylvatic cycle in Africa but has since become adapted to an urban-centric transmission cycle. These urban areas include villages in West Africa where DENV is not often routinely considered for patients presenting with febrile illnesses, as other endemic diseases (malaria, Lassa fever, e.g.) present with similar non-specific symptoms. Thus, dengue is likely under diagnosed in the region. These plaque reduction neutralization test-50 (PRNT50) screening results of patients presenting with fevers of unknown origin (FUO) at a clinic in Kenema, Sierra Leone indicate that all four serotypes of DENV likely circulate in areas surrounding Kenema. Using a more conservative PRNT80 cut-off value, our results still indicate the presence of antibody to all four serotypes in the region. Identifying alternate etiologies of FUOs in this region will assist clinicians in plan-of-care decisions as well as follow-up priorities. This is particularly relevant given the Ebola outbreak in the region, where diagnosis has a range of downstream effects ranging from correct allocation of medical resources, appropriate isolation of patients, and ultimately, a better informed public health sector.
| S-EPMC4846026 | biostudies-literature