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Ebola Virus Circulation in a Non-Epidemic Guinean Rural Area: Virological and Anthropological Approaches

18 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2024

See all articles by Castro Gbêmêmali Hounmenou

Castro Gbêmêmali Hounmenou

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Frédéric Le Marcis

ENS Lyon; University of Montpellier - Translational Research in HIV and Infectious Diseases (TransVIHMI); CERFIG - Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée

Djiba Kaba

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Maladho Diaby

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Abdoul-Karim Soumah

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Haby Diallo

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Guillaume Thaurignac

University of Montpellier

Saidouba Cherif Camara

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Ahidjo Ayouba

University of Montpellier

Martine Peeters

University of Montpellier

Alpha-Kabinet Keita

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

Eric Delaporte

University of Montpellier

Abdoulaye Touré

Gamal Abdel Nasser University

More...

Abstract

Background: The recurring resurgence of Ebola virus disease causes deaths, fosters the loss of confidence in the healthcare system, and has a tremendous socio-economic impact on already fragile societies. Scientific research to trace the circulation of the virus is crucial to monitor the evolution of the epidemic and design effective prevention and control strategies in high-risk countries. This study analyzes the seroprevalence of orthoebolaviruses in a rural population in Madina Oula (Guinea), based on a 1987 outbreak and socio-historical data.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from March 14 to April 3, 2022, in Madina Oula involved recording household and socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle data, and collecting dried blood spots (DBS) from 878 individuals in 236 households. DBS were tested using multiplex serology to detect antibodies to different orthoebolaviruses (Ebola (EBOV), Bundibugyo (BDBV), Sudan (SUDV), Reston (RESTV) and Bombali (BOMV)). Seroprevalence was estimated with a 95% CI, and household, socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were described using median (IQR), absolute and relative frequencies. The results were discussed with collective memories of the outbreak and socio-historical conditions since 2016.

Findings: Between 1982-1983, an outbreak of heamorraghic fever reported 137 deaths, and it was estimated that 20% of the population had been exposed to Lassa or Ebola virus. Serological analysis showed varied reactivity to orthoebolavirus antigens, the highest reactivity was observed with GP antigens, especially for glycoprotein SUDV (16%). 21 samples on 878 were reactive with at least two antigens of the same virus species, their median age was 27 (IQR = 10·00 - 35·00) years and varies from 2 to 80 years. Presence of antibodies varied per village, highest in Ouassou and Dar-es-Salam

Interpretation: In an area unaffected by recent Ebola outbreaks, serological data showed traces of orthoebolavirus circulation, suggesting possible endemicity. This highlights the importance of preparedness for known or novel orthoebolaviruses that may cross-react.

Funding: Co-funding received through the program‘EBOVAC3 Bringing a prophylactic Ebola vaccine to licensure’ funded by IMI (Grant agreement number 800176) and run by LSTHM and INSERM, EBO-SURSY project funded by the European Union (FOOD/2016/379-660) and EBO-HEALTH project (Montpellier Université d'Excellence; I-Site MUSE, ANR-16-IDEX-0006).

Declaration of Interest: All other authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical Approval: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Guinea Ethics Committee [100/CNERS/19].

Keywords: Ebola Virus Disease, Seroprevalence, Guinea, Rural Population, Outbreak, Surveillance and Prevention Strategies

Suggested Citation

Hounmenou, Castro Gbêmêmali and Le Marcis, Frédéric and Kaba, Djiba and Diaby, Maladho and Soumah, Abdoul-Karim and Diallo, Haby and Thaurignac, Guillaume and Camara, Saidouba Cherif and Ayouba, Ahidjo and Peeters, Martine and Keita, Alpha-Kabinet and Delaporte, Eric and Touré, Abdoulaye, Ebola Virus Circulation in a Non-Epidemic Guinean Rural Area: Virological and Anthropological Approaches. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4763111 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4763111

Castro Gbêmêmali Hounmenou (Contact Author)

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Frédéric Le Marcis

ENS Lyon ( email )

Campus Descartes
15 parvis René Descartes
Lyon, 69007
France

University of Montpellier - Translational Research in HIV and Infectious Diseases (TransVIHMI) ( email )

Montpellier
France

CERFIG - Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée ( email )

Bloc des Professeurs
Commune de Dixinn
Conakry
Guinea

Djiba Kaba

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Maladho Diaby

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Abdoul-Karim Soumah

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Haby Diallo

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Guillaume Thaurignac

University of Montpellier ( email )

Saidouba Cherif Camara

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Ahidjo Ayouba

University of Montpellier ( email )

Martine Peeters

University of Montpellier ( email )

Alpha-Kabinet Keita

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )

Eric Delaporte

University of Montpellier ( email )

163 rue Auguste Broussonnet
France

Abdoulaye Touré

Gamal Abdel Nasser University ( email )