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Published in: Archives of Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness in the Central African Republic, 2010–2015

Authors: Alexandre Manirakiza, Marie-Yvette Batoumbou Ketta, Ulrich Vickos, Giscard Francis Komoyo, Sandra Garba-ouangole, Colette Bangue, Edgar Djimbele, Ombretta Pasotti, Eugene Kanga, Eloi Nicaise Mboufoungou, Brice Martial Yambiyo, Kathleen Victoir, Jean-Chrysostome Gody, Mirdad Kazanji, Emmanuel Nakoune

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Influenza-like illness (ILI) is an important public health problem worldwide. In the Central African Republic, acute infectious diseases are the commonest reason for consultation. The Institut Pasteur of Bangui set up a surveillance network in 2008 to monitor the circulation of influenza viruses. We report the results of use of this surveillance system during the period 2010–2015.

Methods

The first surveillance centre covered Bangui, the capital of the country, and neighbouring areas and epidemiological data on syndromes similar to ILI. Throat and nasopharyngeal swab samples are transmitted weekly to the Institut Pasteur of Bangui, where real-time and multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction are used to detect and subtype influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B viruses. The demographic characteristics of all patients and of positive cases according to age and the seasonal patterns of influenza virus circulation were analysed.

Results

Between January 2010 and December 2015, 5385 throat swabs were collected; 454 (8.4%) of the samples were positive. Of these, 450 yielded at least one influenza virus and four showed co-infections. Children under the age of 5 years were the most frequently infected (257/450, 57.1%), with irregular peaks of ILI. Influenza B predominated (56.2%; n = 201), with 39.0% H3N2 and 16.7%H1N1pdm09. Influenza viruses were detected mainly in the rainy season (July–December).

Conclusion

The sentinel surveillance site is yielding important information about the seasonality and age pattern of circulating influenza virus. Nationwide distribution of sentinel sites is warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness in the Central African Republic, 2010–2015
Authors
Alexandre Manirakiza
Marie-Yvette Batoumbou Ketta
Ulrich Vickos
Giscard Francis Komoyo
Sandra Garba-ouangole
Colette Bangue
Edgar Djimbele
Ombretta Pasotti
Eugene Kanga
Eloi Nicaise Mboufoungou
Brice Martial Yambiyo
Kathleen Victoir
Jean-Chrysostome Gody
Mirdad Kazanji
Emmanuel Nakoune
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-017-0229-1

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