The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The challenges of managing childhood fever by parents referred to health centers in Bushehr

Background: Fever is one of the most common reasons for which parents of infants and young children seek medical care. This study aimed to understand the problems of parents in the care and management of febrile children in depth and ultimately provide ways to resolve this issue. Materials & Methods: The present study is a descriptive exploratory research (a kind of mix method design) with the aim of examining the problems of managing fever in children by their parents. The study population was parents of children referred to health centers in Bushehr. The study sample was purposively selected. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, demographic information and empowering questionnaire. The qualitative data were analyzed based on directed content analysis. The quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS software (version 19) and descriptive and analytical statistics at a significance level of 0.05. Results: In the qualitative study, coding and condensing data from interviews determined in six categories, including: the need for awareness, preparedness for coping, acting independently performance of effective care, sense of control and management positions and satisfaction. The mean and standard deviation of the scores of knowledge, attitude and practice of parents were, 6.65±1.58, 11.87±3.41 and 55.44±5.97, respectively. In addition, scores of empowering in terms of some demographic characteristics showed significant correlation. Conclusion: The need for basic information about how to manage fever and also need to empowering mothers in such a way to be prepared enough to cope with fever were presents in most of participants’ interviews. It is recommended that health workers provide the parents more complete education by empowerment models to reach satisfactory abilities in managing their children,s fever

Physicochemical and thermomechanical performances study for Timahdite sheep wool fibers application in the building's insulation

Abstract The present research focuses on the development and thermomechanical characterization of unfired solid bricks based on clay (white and red) and Timahdite sheep wool, which are local, durable, abundant, and economical materials. As this clay material is incorporated with sheep wool in the form of yarn multi-layers in opposite directions. It achieves good thermal and mechanical performance and a lightness of these bricks as acquired progress. This new method of reinforcement offers significant thermo-mechanical performance for the composite for thermal insulation in sustainable buildings. Several physicochemical analyses to characterize the raw materials were used. Thermomechanical measurements to characterize the elaborated materials. The wool yarn effect was significant on the mechanical behavior of the developed materials at 90 days, with flexural strength from 18 to 56% for the white clay. And 8–29% for the red one. Decrease in compressive strength from 9 to 36% for the white clay and 5–18% for the red one. These mechanical performances are accompanied by thermal conductivity gain ranging from 4 to 41% for the white and 6–39% for the red for wool fractions: 6–27 g. This green multi-layered bricks from abundant local materials with optimal thermo-mechanical properties, qualified for the intended use for thermal insulation and energy efficiency in the construction and development of local economies