9 research outputs found
First reported case of dog associated pig rabies in Ghana
Background: Pig rabies is uncommon and there is paucity of information on rabies in pigs in West African countries other than Nigeria. This communication presents a case of dog associated pig rabies in Adidome, Ghana.Materials and Methods: Case history, Dog assessment in adjoining communities, human exposure, clinical presentations and mortality in affected pigs were evaluated using standard techniques. Laboratory screening of brain samples collected was by Fluorescent antibody technique.Results: Stray dog bitten affected pigs showed anorexia, constipation, hyper excitation, twitching of head, roaring and foaming with resultant category 1 and 11 human exposure, 17% mortality and 75% case fatality rate. Laboratory examination of swine brain specimens tested positive for Rabies virus using Fluorescent Agglutination Test.Conclusion: This report described the first documented case of dog associated pig rabies in Ghana and emphasis was laid on continued advocacy and prompt reporting of suspected neurological conditions in pigs in GhanaKey words: Dog associated Rabies, Pig, Ghan
FIRST REPORTED CASE OF DOG ASSOCIATED PIG RABIES IN GHANA
Background: Pig rabies is uncommon and there is paucity of information on rabies in pigs in West African countries other than Nigeria. This
communication presents a case of dog associated pig rabies in Adidome, Ghana.
Materials and Methods: Case history, Dog assessment in adjoining communities, human exposure, clinical presentations and mortality in affected
pigs were evaluated using standard techniques. Laboratory screening of brain samples collected was by Fluorescent antibody technique.
Results: Stray dog bitten affected pigs showed anorexia, constipation, hyper excitation, twitching of head, roaring and foaming with resultant
category 1 and 11 human exposure, 17% mortality and 75% case fatality rate. Laboratory examination of swine brain specimens tested positive for
Rabies virus using Fluorescent Agglutination Test.
Conclusion: This report described the first documented case of dog associated pig rabies in Ghana and emphasis was laid on continued advocacy and
prompt reporting of suspected neurological conditions in pigs in Ghan
Evidence of Rift Valley Fever Virus circulation in livestock and herders in southern Ghana
DATA AVAILABILITY:The data presented in this study are available on request from the
corresponding authors. The data are not publicly available due to ethical reasons.Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants and humans.
While neighbouring countries have reported outbreaks of RVF, Ghana has not yet identified any cases.
The aim of this study was to determine whether RVF virus (RVFV) was circulating in livestock and
herders in the southern part of Ghana, to estimate its seroprevalence, and to identify associated risk
factors. The study surveyed 165 livestock farms randomly selected from two districts in southern
Ghana. Serum samples of 253 goats, 246 sheep, 220 cattle, and 157 herdsmen were tested to detect
IgG and IgM antibodies against RVFV. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVF antibodies in livestock
was 13.1% and 30.9% of farms had RVFV seropositive animals. The species-specific prevalence was
24.1% in cattle, 8.5% in sheep, and 7.9% in goats. A RVFV IgG seroprevalence of 17.8% was found
among the ruminant herders, with 8.3% of all herders being IgM positive. RVFV was shown, for
the first time, to have been circulating in southern Ghana, with evidence of a recent outbreak in
Kwahu East; however, it was clinically undetected despite significant recent human exposure. A
One Health approach is recommended to better understand RVF epidemiology and socio-economic
impact in Ghana.Future Africa Institute, University of Pretoria with funding
from Carnegie Corporation of New York and BANGA Africa Project of University of Ghana. The
APC was funded by Future Africa, University of Pretoria.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/virusesMedical VirologyProduction Animal Studie
Disentangling the role of Africa in the global spread of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza
The role of Africa in the dynamics of the global spread of a zoonotic and economicallyimportant
virus, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5Nx of the Gs/GD
lineage, remains unexplored. Here we characterise the spatiotemporal patterns of virus diffusion
during three HPAI H5Nx intercontinental epidemic waves and demonstrate that Africa
mainly acted as an ecological sink of the HPAI H5Nx viruses. A joint analysis of host
dynamics and continuous spatial diffusion indicates that poultry trade as well as wild bird
migrations have contributed to the virus spreading into Africa, with West Africa acting as a
crucial hotspot for virus introduction and dissemination into the continent. We demonstrate
varying paths of avian influenza incursions into Africa as well as virus spread within Africa
over time, which reveal that virus expansion is a complex phenomenon, shaped by an
intricate interplay between avian host ecology, virus characteristics and environmental
variables.USAID under
the OSRO/GLO/501/USA and OSRO/GLO/507/USA projects and by European Union’s
Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727922
(DELTAFLU). The European Research Council
under the European UnionĘĽs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant
agreement no. 725422-ReservoirDOCS). P.L. acknowledges support by the Research
Foundation – Flanders FWO, G066215N, G0D5117N and G0B9317N). B.V. is a postdoctoral
research fellow supported by the FWO.http://www.nature.com/naturecommunicationsam2020Microbiology and Plant Patholog
Evidence of Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulation in Livestock and Herders in Southern Ghana
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants and humans. While neighbouring countries have reported outbreaks of RVF, Ghana has not yet identified any cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether RVF virus (RVFV) was circulating in livestock and herders in the southern part of Ghana, to estimate its seroprevalence, and to identify associated risk factors. The study surveyed 165 livestock farms randomly selected from two districts in southern Ghana. Serum samples of 253 goats, 246 sheep, 220 cattle, and 157 herdsmen were tested to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against RVFV. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVF antibodies in livestock was 13.1% and 30.9% of farms had RVFV seropositive animals. The species-specific prevalence was 24.1% in cattle, 8.5% in sheep, and 7.9% in goats. A RVFV IgG seroprevalence of 17.8% was found among the ruminant herders, with 8.3% of all herders being IgM positive. RVFV was shown, for the first time, to have been circulating in southern Ghana, with evidence of a recent outbreak in Kwahu East; however, it was clinically undetected despite significant recent human exposure. A One Health approach is recommended to better understand RVF epidemiology and socio-economic impact in Ghana
Genetically Different Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in West Africa, 2015
To trace the evolution of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus in West Africa, we sequenced genomes of 43 viruses collected during 2015 from poultry and wild birds in 5 countries. We found 2 co-circulating genetic groups within clade 2.3.2.1c. Mutations that may increase adaptation to mammals raise concern over possible risk for humans
Genetically Different Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in West Africa, 2015
To trace the evolution of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus in West Africa, we sequenced genomes of 43 viruses collected during 2015 from poultry and wild birds in 5 countries. We found 2 co-circulating genetic groups within clade 2.3.2.1c. Mutations that may increase adaptation to mammals raise concern over possible risk for humans.status: publishe
Disentangling the role of Africa in the global spread of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza
The role of Africa in the dynamics of the global spread of a zoonotic and economically-important virus, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5Nx of the Gs/GD lineage, remains unexplored. Here we characterise the spatiotemporal patterns of virus diffusion during three HPAI H5Nx intercontinental epidemic waves and demonstrate that Africa mainly acted as an ecological sink of the HPAI H5Nx viruses. A joint analysis of host dynamics and continuous spatial diffusion indicates that poultry trade as well as wild bird migrations have contributed to the virus spreading into Africa, with West Africa acting as a crucial hotspot for virus introduction and dissemination into the continent. We demonstrate varying paths of avian influenza incursions into Africa as well as virus spread within Africa over time, which reveal that virus expansion is a complex phenomenon, shaped by an intricate interplay between avian host ecology, virus characteristics and environmental variables.status: publishe