Case study of a 2022 pertussis epidemic in the Baoro sub-prefecture (Central African Republic).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this survey was to describe epidemiological characteristics and evaluate vaccine effectiveness against pertussis in the sub-prefecture of Baoro (Central African Republic). METHOD: We conducted a case control study from June to July 2022 in the sub-prefecture of Baoro in the district of Baour-Baoro. Community-based definitions of surveillance were applied to include cases and controls. RESULTS: All in all, 143 confirmed and suspected cases and 166 controls were enrolled in this investigation. The epidemic had affected 12 neighborhoods and 9 villages. The village of Bugbassem alone had 32 patients, and 50% of the patients lived in rural areas. The age groups of 12 to 59 months accounted for 58% of cases. Patients were female in 54% of cases (p = 0.8). The attack rate among unvaccinated patients (65%) was higher than that of vaccinated patients (40%), while 15% (N = 21) of children were hospitalized with no recorded deaths. Pentavalent 3rd dose vaccination coverage was 49% in controls versus 33% in cases. Vaccination provided a significant protective effect (Odds Ratio = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.6). All told, vaccine efficacy against pertussis was 38%. CONCLUSION: Pertussis is a re-emerging disease currently occurring as a result of low pertussis vaccination coverage. It strongly affects rural areas with low vaccination rates. Vaccination strategy requires reinforcement in rural areas.

Epidémie de rougeole en période post-conflit dans une zone rurale centrafricaine

Introduction : La rougeole est une maladie infectieuse très contagieuse. Les situations de conflit telles que le cas de la République centrafricaine (RCA), peuvent favoriser la survenue des épidémies. L'objectif de ce travail était de décrire l'épidémie de rougeole survenue dans la préfecture sanitaire de Sangha-Mbaéré en termes de temps, lieu et personnes. Patients et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective réalisée lors de l'investigation des cas de rougeole survenus à Nola, dans le sud-ouest de la RCA qui a couvert la période du 30 décembre 2015 au 20 avril 2016. La population cible était constituée d'enfants de moins de 15 ans. Nous avons inclus dans l'étude, après consentement éclairé des parents, tout enfant chez qui un agent de santé a suspecté la rougeole avec une fièvre supérieure ou égale à 38°C, une éruption maculo-papulaire généralisée (non vésiculaire) et un des signes suivants : toux, rhinorrhée ou conjonctivite. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et cliniques ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire anonyme. La saisie et l'analyse des données ont été faites au logiciel Epi Info 7. Résultats : Au total, 31 malades ont été inclus dont 58% de sexe féminin soit un sex-ratio (F/H) de 1,38. L'âge moyen était de 1,9 ± 1,2 ans. Les enfants âgés entre 1 et 4 ans représentaient 74,19% des cas. Tous les enfants (100%) n'étaient pas vaccinés contre la rougeole. Ils provenaient de la commune de Salo dans 51,61% des cas et de Nola dans 48,39%. Le taux d'attaque était de 0,82‰. Dans la commune de Salo, le taux d'attaque était de 2,97‰ (16/5392) et de 0,46‰ (15/32401) à Nola. Le taux de létalité était de 9,68% (3/31). Ce taux était de 33,33% (1/3) avant l'âge d'un an, de 8,70% chez les enfants de 1 à 5 ans. Conclusion : L'épidémie de rougeole survenue à Nola serait liée à une faible couverture vaccinale. Le renforcement de la vaccination et de la surveillance épidémiologique pourrait contribuer au contrôle et à une prévention efficace de la rougeole ainsi que d'autres maladies à potentiel épidémique

[Twelve cases of monkeypox virus outbreak in Bangassou District (Central African Republic) in December 2015]. / Epidémie de 12 cas de maladie à virus monkeypox dans le district de Bangassou en République Centrafricaine en décembre 2015.

An outbreak of monkeypox occurred in the district of Bangassou in 2015. The monkeypox is a re-emerging zoonosis of viral origin highly contagious. It is an eruptive fever which evolves in an epidemic manner. An investigation was held December 10, 2015, to February 10, 2016 in the focus of the epidemic. Its objective was to describe the epidemic according to the time, places and people and to determine the incidence and lethality of the disease. This was a descriptive study. The data collection was made by interview and using a linear plug composed of several sections. All suspected cases were taken into account. The interview was done with patients or the parents of sick children. The blood and the contents of the lesions were collected and sent to the laboratory of the Institut Pasteur in Bangui for confirmation. Our data were analyzed with Epi info7. In total 12 patients had been registered including 9 secondary cases. Patients aged 31 to 40 years and less than 10 years were most affected. In addition, adults were most affected by the disease (8/12). The average age was 25 years with extremes at 15 months and 41 years. The sex male/female ratio was 1. The overall attack rate of disease and lethality were 0.2 per 1000 inhabitants and 25% respectively. The fatality was 67% among children less than 10 years. Fever and rash were the main symptoms of the disease. Lymphadenopathy was present in 54.5%. Ten of the 12 patients were hospitalized (83%). The average duration of hospitalization was 13 days with the extremes 6 and 28 days. The monkeypox like smallpox remains a serious and fatal disease in children. A survey of animal reservoirs complained to identify strains of the virus is essential. During an outbreak, good communication and isolation of patients may break the chain of transmission. Other measures to limit their contact with the forest or virus reservoirs are to be encouraged.