Epidemiology of rotavirus in humans, animals, and the environment in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, rotavirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhea-related deaths, especially among children under 5 years of age. This virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route, though zoonotic and environmental contributions to transmission are poorly defined. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiology of rotavirus in humans, animals, and the environment in Africa, as well as the impact of vaccination. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Africa Index Medicus, and African Journal Online, identifying 240 prevalence data points from 224 articles between 2009 and 2022. RESULTS: Human rotavirus prevalence among patients with gastroenteritis was 29.8% (95% CI, 28.1-31.5; 238710 participants), with similar estimates in children under 5 years of age, and an estimated case fatality rate of 1.2% (95% CI, 0.7-2.0; 10440 participants). Prevalence was estimated to be 15.4% and 6.1% in patients with non-gastroenteritis illnesses and apparently healthy individuals, respectively. Among animals, prevalence was 9.3% (95% CI, 5.7-13.7; 6115 animals), and in the environmental water sources, prevalence was 31.4% (95% CI, 17.7-46.9; 2530 samples). DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the significant burden of rotavirus infection in Africa, and underscore the need for a One Health approach to limiting the spread of this disease.

Detection and characterization of polioviruses originating from urban sewage in Yaounde and Douala, Cameroon 2016-2017.

OBJECTIVE: Transmission of wild polioviruses (WPVs) and vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) have been interrupted in Cameroon since July 2014. Subsequently, Cameroon withdrew Sabin type 2 from routine immunization in April 2016. This study aimed to investigate the detection rates and overtime distribution of the types of PVs recovered from urban sewage in Cameroon. RESULTS: From January 2016 to December 2017, 517 sewage specimens originating from Yaounde (325 specimens) and Douala (192 specimens) were analyzed. No WPVs and VDPVs were isolated in this study. In contrast, vaccine strains of poliovirus were detected throughout the study period. Isolates Sabin types 1 and 3 were sporadically detected whereas Sabin 2 was found only from January to May 2016 both in Yaounde and Douala. The absence of Sabin 2 in sewage specimens since June 2016 indicates its rapid disappearance after withdrawal from routine immunization in April 2016. This study provides substantial support to the observation that WPV and VDPVs have been successfully eliminated in Cameroon. However, it remains essential to maintain and extend high quality environmental surveillance as long as WPV reservoirs and VDPV outbreaks are detected in Africa.