Epidemiological risk of African horse sickness in donkeys in Burkina Faso

African horse sickness (AHS) virus causes severe epidemics when transmitted to horses by Culicoides vectors. A cross-sectional study was carried out in five areas of Burkina Faso to determine the seroprevalence of AHS virus in donkeys and to identify potential risk factors. A total of 460 sera were collected in 15 villages. A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out to detect AHS virus antibodies. The overall apparent seroprevalence was 72.6% indicating that the donkeys were infected with AHS virus. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the seroprevalence level. A significant effect between geographical areas was observed, confirming the role of the agroecological zone in the occurrence of AHS. Similarly, age and animal weight had significant effects on seroprevalence, whereas sex, coat color and herd size had not. This study highlighted the active circulation of AHS virus in donkeys in Burkina Faso

Sentinel laboratory compliance with best practices in Burkina Faso’s antimicrobial resistance surveillance network

Background: Standardising procedures is the best way to harmonise and strengthen the quality of laboratory-based antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Since 2018, Burkina Faso has developed and disseminated the national manual of procedures for performing antibiotic susceptibility tests in sentinel laboratories within its national antimicrobial resistance surveillance network. Objective: Our study aimed to assess these sentinel laboratories’ compliance with good practices for antibiotics susceptibility tests. Methods: Four teams evaluated the antimicrobial resistance sentinel sites laboratories throughout Burkina Faso from 19 to 28 September 2022. Eighteen out of 19 sentinel laboratories were evaluated. A four-member technical committee designed and validated the evaluation tool composed of three Microsoft Excel sheets. The evaluation emphasised quality controls for culture media, antibiotic discs and compliance with antimicrobial susceptibility testing procedures by the laboratories. Excel software was used for data recording and graphs and table design. The free R software version 4.2.0 was used for descriptive statistics. An overall score below 80% was considered noncompliance. Results: Most (83.33%) of the sentinel laboratories conducted at least one quality control activity for culture media, and 66.67% conducted at least one quality control activity for antibiotic discs. Over three-quarters (76.47%) of the laboratories were more than 80% compliant with the modified Kirby Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility testing method. Conclusion: The evaluation revealed the noncompliance of sentinel laboratories with the national procedure manual, particularly in the quality control component. What this study adds: This study has provided baseline data on the sentinel laboratories’ compliance with the national antimicrobial susceptibility testing procedures manual, particularly in areas performing quality control checks or meeting quality indicators for culture media and antibiotic discs

Creating a National Specimen Referral System in Guinea: Lessons From Initial Development and Implementation

In the wake of the 2014–2016, West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, the Government of Guinea recognized an opportunity to strengthen its national laboratory system, incorporating capacity and investments developed during the response. The Ministry of Health (MOH) identified creation of a holistic, safe, secure, and timely national specimen referral system as a priority for improved detection and confirmation of priority diseases, in line with national Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response guidelines. The project consisted of two parts, each led by different implementing partners working collaboratively together and with the Ministry of Health: the development and approval of a national specimen referral policy, and pilot implementation of a specimen referral system, modeled on the policy, in three prefectures. This paper describes the successful execution of the project, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of building sustainable health systems capacity during and after public health emergencies, and provides lessons learned for strengthening national capabilities for surveillance and disease diagnosis

Genetic recombination in wild-type poliovirus

International audienc

Preparation of red cell concentrates in low-income countries: Efficacy of whole blood settling method by simple gravity in Burkina Faso

Aim: This study aims to describe the characteristics of the red cell concentrâtes RCCs) produced by whole blood settling in Burkina Faso. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the blood centers of Ouagadougou and Koudougou between 12th February and 15th March 2015. 427 blood units selected at Koudougou and divided into three groups were processed by settling method over three durations (methods I = 36–48 h, II = 48–72 h and III = 72–96 h). Other 139 units selected at Ouagadougou were processed by centrifugation (method IV). The RCCs units’ characteristics were described by the mean of their hematocrit, volume, hemoglobin level and content. The residual plasma level, the hematocrit yield and the hematocrit concentration ability (ability of method to raise hematocrit in comparison with whole blood) have been used to assess methods efficacy. Results: The volume and hemoglobin content of overall units met standard requirements. 2.1%, 14.2% and 27.7% of units respectively issued from methods I, II, III had hematocrit over 50%. The average volume (mL) was 372.88, 357.91, 350.30 and 332.26 respectively for method I to IV (p<0.05). The mean hematocrit (%) was respectively 45.42,47.41, 48.24 and 62.28 (non-significant difference between methods II and III). The hematocrit concentration ability was respectively 1.14, 1.22, 1.24 and 1.51 and the proportion of residual plasma 0.39, 0.33, 0.30 and 0.09. Conclusion: The RCCs obtained by settling method did not meet all standards. But we can hypothesize that they would be more effective and safe for patients. However, it is necessary to undertake further studies to verify it

Factors associated with owned-dogs' vaccination against rabies: A household survey in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Canine vaccination is an effective means for rabies control, a minimum of 70% dog rabies vaccination coverage is required in endemic areas. According to previous investigations, this recommended coverage is always not achieved in Burkina Faso. This study was carried out to investigate reasons for poor vaccination coverage in canine population. Using a structured questionnaires, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city of Bobo Dioulasso to capture data on drivers that affect dog owners' individual decision to vaccinate or not their dogs. Through a house-to-house approach, 239 questionnaires were administrated to dog owners during face to face interviews. The results indicated dog rabies vaccination coverage of 25.9%. Dog breed, origin and confinement status had a significant association with vaccination status (p < 0.05). Owners of exotic and cross-bred dogs were more likely to adopt vaccination compared to owners of local-bred dogs. Dogs of bought origin were significantly more likely to be vaccinated among all dogs. Household characteristics including age of owners, level of education, employment status, means of transportation, perception of vaccination cost and level of knowledge about rabies were significantly associated with the vaccination status (p < 0.05). The oldest dog owners, the owners having high level of education, having a car as means of transportation, having good knowledge of rabies and dog rabies vaccination, being employed and perceiving vaccination cost as affordable were more likely to vaccinate their dogs. Combining community awareness and free dog rabies vaccination approaches could improve the vaccination coverage

The Rabies Free Burkina Faso initiative: an example of how one health-oriented civil society organizations can contribute towards the achievement of the rabies zero by 30 goal

While technologies, tools and expertise have proven that countries can be made safe from dog-mediated human rabies, the disease remains a major public health threat in Burkina Faso. The paper reports the experience and success stories of Rabies Free Burkina Faso, an initiative established in 2020 as an example of civil society organization that promotes One Health for integrated rabies control in Africa. As recommended in the Global strategic plan, rabies elimination requires a systematic One Health approach, enhancing pre-exposure and postexposure prophylaxis, dog population management, dog vaccination, awareness raising, diagnosis, surveillance, funding as well as policies and regulations. Rabies Free Burkina Faso was established on 28 September 2020 as not-for-profit organization and aims to strengthen the use of a One Health approach as a non-governmental, multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to promoting rabies elimination. Categories of interventions developed by Rabies Free Burkina Faso cover awareness raising, training and One Health capacity building, dog rabies vaccination, seeking vaccines and providing support, including financial resource to communities to ensure that bite victims are appropriately provided with post-exposure prophylaxis, research, community engagement and joint outbreak investigation in collaboration with competent authorities. Reported success stories confirm the relevance of roles that can be played by Rabies Free Burkina Faso supporting animal health and human health authorities in the fields of rabies control and One Health development in the country

Annonce à l’enfant et à l’adolescent de son statut VIH en Afrique francophone centrale et de l’Ouest

International audienceWe report the attitudes and practices of health care workers involved in the disclosure process to adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in a network including West and Central African French- speaking countries, and the experiences of young living with HIV (YLHIV). During a three-day workshop in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, caregivers (doctors, psychologists, social workers) from 19 pediatric HIV treatment sites shared their practices and difficulties, and four YPLHIV their own disclosure experience. Thirty five participants from eight West/Central African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Togo) contributed: 14 doctors, eight psychologists, six counselors, three social workers. The experience of the centers was variable, but the age at disclosure was late: 34% of 1296 adolescents between 10 and 12 years of age knew their status. The median age at disclosure was 13 years (range: 11-15 years). The practice of the disclosure was often complex, because of multiple factors (fear of the parents of the breaking of the secrecy, lack of communication between professionals). The individual disclosure was the main practice. Four centers practiced HIV disclosure in group sessions to facilitate mirror support, and one used peer-to-peer support. YPLHIV have advocated for an earlier disclosure, from 10 years. In West and Central Africa, the process of HIV disclosure remains complex for parents and caregivers, and occurs too late. The development of a good practice guideline for HIV disclosing adapted to socio-cultural contexts should help to improve this process.Nous rapportons les attitudes et pratiques des soignants en Afrique francophone concernant l’annonce du statut VIH aux adolescents, et les témoignages de jeunes vivant avec le VIH (jvVIH). Lors d’un atelier de trois jours à Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, en novembre 2016, les soignants (médecins, psychologues, travailleurs sociaux) de 19 sites de prise en charge pédiatrique du VIH ont partagé leurs pratiques et difficultés et 4 jvVIH leur vécu de l’annonce. Au total, 35 participants de 8 pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest/centrale (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Mali, République démocratique du Congo, Sénégal, Togo) ont contribué : 14 médecins, 8 psychologues, 6 conseillers, 3 travailleurs sociaux. L’expérience des centres était variable, mais l’âge à l’annonce restait tardif : 34 % des 1 296 adolescents âgés entre 10 et 12 ans connaissaient leur statut. L’âge médian à l’annonce était de 13 ans (étendue : 11-15 ans). La pratique de l’annonce s’avérait complexe, en raison de multiples facteurs (crainte des parents de la rupture du secret, manque de communication entre professionnels). L’annonce individuelle était la pratique majoritairement adoptée. Quatre centres pratiquaient une annonce en séances de groupe pour faciliter le soutien en miroir, et un avait recours à l’appui de pairs-adolescents. Les jvVIH ont plaidé pour une annonce plus précoce, dès 10 ans. En Afrique de l’Ouest/centrale francophone, le processus de l’annonce reste complexe pour parents et soignants, et l’annonce trop tardive. L’élaboration d’un guide de bonnes pratiques de l’annonce du VIH, adapté aux contextes socio-culturels devrait permettre d’améliorer ce processus