Journal Article

Molecular Characterization of Circulating Yellow Fever Viruses from Outbreak in Ghana, 2021–2022

Tamal, Christopher, Kumordjie, Selassie, Kubio, Chrysantus, Asiedu-Bekoe, Franklin, Adams, Patience Lartekai, Sanders, Terrel, Odoom, John Kofi, Bonney, Joseph Humphrey Kofi, Yeboah, Clara, Agbodzi, Bright, Laryea, Dennis, Dadzie, Samuel, Agyeman, Nana Kwame Fredua, Pratt, Deborah, Boateng, Gideon Aning, Ohene, Sally-Ann, Attiku, Keren, Mawuli, Gifty

2023

Overview

Yellow fever virus, transmitted by infected Aedes spp. mosquitoes, causes an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. During October 2021-February 2022, a yellow fever outbreak in some communities in Ghana resulted in 70 confirmed cases with 35 deaths (case-fatality rate 50%). The outbreak started in a predominantly unvaccinated nomadic community in the Savannah region, from which 65% of the cases came. The molecular amplification methods we used for diagnosis produced full-length DNA sequences from 3 confirmed cases. Phylogenetic analysis characterized the 3 sequences within West Africa genotype II; strains shared a close homology with sequences from Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal. We deployed more sensitive advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, which enabled earlier detection, helped control spread, and improved case management. We urge increased efforts from health authorities to vaccinate vulnerable groups in difficult-to-access areas and to educate the population about potential risks for yellow fever infections.

• Publisher: U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subject: Acids / Analysis / Aquatic insects / At risk populations / Dengue fever / Disease Outbreaks / Disease transmission / DNA sequencing / Ebola virus / Epidemics / Fatalities / Genomes / Ghana - epidemiology / Health aspects / Health facilities / Human subjects / Humans / Infections / Laboratories / Lassa fever / Marburg virus disease / Medical research / Molecular Characterization of Circulating Yellow Fever Viruses from Outbreak in Ghana, 2021–2022 / Mortality / Mosquitoes / Nucleotide sequencing / Outbreaks / Phylogenetics / Phylogeny / Prevention / Public health / Review boards / Risk factors / RNA, Viral - analysis / Sequence Analysis, RNA / Software / Surveillance / Vector-borne diseases / vector-borne infections / viral hemorrhagic diseases / viruses / Whole genome sequencing / Yellow fever / Yellow Fever - virology / yellow fever virus / Yellow fever virus - classification / Yellow fever virus - isolation & purification / Zika virus