Abatan, B., Agboghoroma, O., Akemoke, F. et al. (44 more authors) (2021) Intense and mild first epidemic wave of Coronavirus disease, The Gambia. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27 (8). pp. 2064-2072. ISSN 1080-6040
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is evolving differently in Africa than in other regions. Africa has lower SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates and milder clinical manifestations. Detailed SARS-CoV-2 epidemiologic data are needed in Africa. We used publicly available data to calculate SARS-CoV-2 infections per 1,000 persons in The Gambia. We evaluated transmission rates among 1,366 employees of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia (MRCG), where systematic surveillance of symptomatic cases and contact tracing were implemented. By September 30, 2020, The Gambia had identified 3,579 SARS-CoV-2 cases, including 115 deaths; 67% of cases were identified in August. Among infections, MRCG staff accounted for 191 cases; all were asymptomatic or mild. The cumulative incidence rate among nonclinical MRCG staff was 124 infections/1,000 persons, which is >80-fold higher than estimates of diagnosed cases among the population. Systematic surveillance and seroepidemiologic surveys are needed to clarify the extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Africa.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is a publication of the U.S. Government. This publication is in the public domain and is therefore without copyright. All text from this work may be reprinted freely. Use of these materials should be properly cited. |
Keywords: | Africa; COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; The Gambia; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; disease burden; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; severity respiratory infections; transmission rate; viruses; zoonoses; Africa; COVID-19; Gambia; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Seroepidemiologic Studies |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 10 May 2023 11:54 |
Last Modified: | 10 May 2023 22:50 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3201/eid2708.204954 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:198937 |