Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Lancet Planet Health. 2020 December 1; Volume 4; DOI:10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30255-2
Jones FK, Wamala JF, Rumunu J, Mawien PN, Kol MT, et al.
Lancet Planet Health. 2020 December 1; Volume 4; DOI:10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30255-2
Background
Between 2014 and 2017, successive cholera epidemics occurred in South Sudan within the context of civil war, population displacement, flooding, and drought. We aim to describe the spatiotemporal and molecular features of the three distinct epidemic waves and explore the role of vaccination campaigns, precipitation, and population movement in shaping cholera spread in this complex setting.
Methods
In this descriptive epidemiological study, we analysed cholera linelist data to describe the spatiotemporal progression of the epidemics. We placed whole-genome sequence data from pandemic Vibrio cholerae collected throughout these epidemics into the global phylogenetic context. Using whole-genome sequence data in combination with other molecular attributes, we characterise the relatedness of strains circulating in each wave and the region. We investigated the association of rainfall and the instantaneous basic reproduction number using distributed lag non-linear models, compared county-level attack rates between those with early and late reactive vaccination campaigns, and explored the consistency of the spatial patterns of displacement and suspected cholera case reports.
Findings
The 2014 (6389 cases) and 2015 (1818 cases) cholera epidemics in South Sudan remained spatially limited whereas the 2016–17 epidemic (20 438 cases) spread among settlements along the Nile river. Initial cases of each epidemic were reported in or around Juba soon after the start of the rainy season, but we found no evidence that rainfall modulated transmission during each epidemic. All isolates analysed had similar genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, closely related to sequences from Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Large-scale population movements between counties of South Sudan with cholera outbreaks were consistent with the spatial distribution of cases. 21 of 26 vaccination campaigns occurred during or after the county-level epidemic peak. Counties vaccinated on or after the peak incidence week had 2·2 times (95% CI 2·1–2·3) higher attack rates than those where vaccination occurred before the peak.
Interpretation
Pandemic V cholerae of the same clonal origin was isolated throughout the study period despite interepidemic periods of no reported cases. Although the complex emergency in South Sudan probably shaped some of the observed spatial and temporal patterns of cases, the full scope of transmission determinants remains unclear. Timely and well targeted use of vaccines can reduce the burden of cholera; however, rapid vaccine deployment in complex emergencies remains challenging.
Between 2014 and 2017, successive cholera epidemics occurred in South Sudan within the context of civil war, population displacement, flooding, and drought. We aim to describe the spatiotemporal and molecular features of the three distinct epidemic waves and explore the role of vaccination campaigns, precipitation, and population movement in shaping cholera spread in this complex setting.
Methods
In this descriptive epidemiological study, we analysed cholera linelist data to describe the spatiotemporal progression of the epidemics. We placed whole-genome sequence data from pandemic Vibrio cholerae collected throughout these epidemics into the global phylogenetic context. Using whole-genome sequence data in combination with other molecular attributes, we characterise the relatedness of strains circulating in each wave and the region. We investigated the association of rainfall and the instantaneous basic reproduction number using distributed lag non-linear models, compared county-level attack rates between those with early and late reactive vaccination campaigns, and explored the consistency of the spatial patterns of displacement and suspected cholera case reports.
Findings
The 2014 (6389 cases) and 2015 (1818 cases) cholera epidemics in South Sudan remained spatially limited whereas the 2016–17 epidemic (20 438 cases) spread among settlements along the Nile river. Initial cases of each epidemic were reported in or around Juba soon after the start of the rainy season, but we found no evidence that rainfall modulated transmission during each epidemic. All isolates analysed had similar genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, closely related to sequences from Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Large-scale population movements between counties of South Sudan with cholera outbreaks were consistent with the spatial distribution of cases. 21 of 26 vaccination campaigns occurred during or after the county-level epidemic peak. Counties vaccinated on or after the peak incidence week had 2·2 times (95% CI 2·1–2·3) higher attack rates than those where vaccination occurred before the peak.
Interpretation
Pandemic V cholerae of the same clonal origin was isolated throughout the study period despite interepidemic periods of no reported cases. Although the complex emergency in South Sudan probably shaped some of the observed spatial and temporal patterns of cases, the full scope of transmission determinants remains unclear. Timely and well targeted use of vaccines can reduce the burden of cholera; however, rapid vaccine deployment in complex emergencies remains challenging.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Acta Trop. 2007 January 1; Volume 101 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2006.12.002
Eperon G, Schmid C, Loutan L, Chappuis F
Acta Trop. 2007 January 1; Volume 101 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2006.12.002
BACKGROUND: Existing data on human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense among children are limited. Here, we described the demographic, clinical, diagnostic, treatment and outcome characteristics of HAT in pre-school children from Kajo-Keji County, South Sudan in comparison with older patients. METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of HAT patients treated at the Kiri Sleeping Sickness Treatment Centre (SSTC), Kajo-Keji County, from June 2000 to December 2002. RESULTS: Of 1958 HAT patients, 119 (6.1%) were pre-school children (<6 years) including 56 (47%) in first-stage illness and 63 (53%) in second-stage. The proportion of children in second-stage HAT was significantly higher in very young children (<2 years). Walking and speech disturbances were more frequent in second-stage HAT but other neurological symptoms and signs were not associated with disease stage. Pentamidine treatment for first-stage illness was very safe and effective among pre-school children. In contrast, 4.9% of pre-school children in second-stage illness died during melarsoprol treatment and 46% had > or = 1 severe adverse event(s). Macular rash, jaundice and skin necrosis on injection site were significantly more frequent in this age group (p<0.05). Melarsoprol-induced encephalopatic syndrome was less frequent but more severe than in older age groups. CONCLUSION: The clinical features of T. b. gambiense HAT among pre-school children are insufficiently stage-specific. Therefore, laboratory-based staging is mandatory to prevent unnecessary harm to HAT patients caused by the high toxicity of melarsoprol.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int J Infect Dis. 2022 September 1; Volume 122; 215-221.; DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.05.039
Zheng Q, Luquero FJ, Ciglenecki I, Wamala JF, Abubakar A, et al.
Int J Infect Dis. 2022 September 1; Volume 122; 215-221.; DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.05.039
BACKGROUND
Cholera remains a public health threat but is inequitably distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of standardized reporting and inconsistent outbreak definitions limit our understanding of cholera outbreak epidemiology.
METHODS
From a database of cholera incidence and mortality, we extracted data from sub-Saharan Africa and reconstructed outbreaks of suspected cholera starting in January 2010 to December 2019 based on location-specific average weekly incidence rate thresholds. We then described the distribution of key outbreak metrics.
RESULTS
We identified 999 suspected cholera outbreaks in 744 regions across 25 sub-Saharan African countries. The outbreak periods accounted for 1.8 billion person-months (2% of the total during this period) from January 2010 to January 2020. Among 692 outbreaks reported from second-level administrative units (e.g., districts), the median attack rate was 0.8 per 1000 people (interquartile range (IQR), 0.3-2.4 per 1000), the median epidemic duration was 13 weeks (IQR, 8-19), and the median early outbreak reproductive number was 1.8 (range, 1.1-3.5). Larger attack rates were associated with longer times to outbreak peak, longer epidemic durations, and lower case fatality risks.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a baseline from which the progress toward cholera control and essential statistics to inform outbreak management in sub-Saharan Africa can be monitored.
Cholera remains a public health threat but is inequitably distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of standardized reporting and inconsistent outbreak definitions limit our understanding of cholera outbreak epidemiology.
METHODS
From a database of cholera incidence and mortality, we extracted data from sub-Saharan Africa and reconstructed outbreaks of suspected cholera starting in January 2010 to December 2019 based on location-specific average weekly incidence rate thresholds. We then described the distribution of key outbreak metrics.
RESULTS
We identified 999 suspected cholera outbreaks in 744 regions across 25 sub-Saharan African countries. The outbreak periods accounted for 1.8 billion person-months (2% of the total during this period) from January 2010 to January 2020. Among 692 outbreaks reported from second-level administrative units (e.g., districts), the median attack rate was 0.8 per 1000 people (interquartile range (IQR), 0.3-2.4 per 1000), the median epidemic duration was 13 weeks (IQR, 8-19), and the median early outbreak reproductive number was 1.8 (range, 1.1-3.5). Larger attack rates were associated with longer times to outbreak peak, longer epidemic durations, and lower case fatality risks.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a baseline from which the progress toward cholera control and essential statistics to inform outbreak management in sub-Saharan Africa can be monitored.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Sci Rep. 2016 October 24; Volume 6; 35742.; DOI:10.1038/srep35742
Iyer AS, Ryan ET, Martin S, Legros D, Lessler J, et al.
Sci Rep. 2016 October 24; Volume 6; 35742.; DOI:10.1038/srep35742
Despite recent large-scale cholera outbreaks, little is known about the immunogenicity of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in African populations, particularly among those at highest cholera risk. During a 2015 preemptive OCV campaign among internally displaced persons in South Sudan, a year after a large cholera outbreak, we enrolled 37 young children (1-5 years old), 67 older children (6-17 years old) and 101 adults (≥18 years old), who received two doses of OCV (Shanchol) spaced approximately 3 weeks apart. Cholera-specific antibody responses were determined at days 0, 21 and 35 post-immunization. High baseline vibriocidal titers (>80) were observed in 21% of the participants, suggesting recent cholera exposure or vaccination. Among those with titers ≤80, 90% young children, 73% older children and 72% adults seroconverted (≥4 fold titer rise) after the 1(st) OCV dose; with no additional seroconversion after the 2(nd) dose. Post-vaccination immunological endpoints did not differ across age groups. Our results indicate Shanchol was immunogenic in this vulnerable population and that a single dose alone may be sufficient to achieve similar short-term immunological responses to the currently licensed two-dose regimen. While we found no evidence of differential response by age, further immunologic and epidemiologic studies are needed.
Journal Article > Case Report/SeriesFull Text
J Surg Case Rep. 2017 March 1; Volume 2017 (Issue 3); rjx062.; DOI:10.1093/jscr/rjx062
Abdelrahman SH, Deeter M, Muthusami A, Peterson TG, Wackenier L
J Surg Case Rep. 2017 March 1; Volume 2017 (Issue 3); rjx062.; DOI:10.1093/jscr/rjx062
Abdominal pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy with high morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the fetus. Diagnosis can be challenging, especially in a resource-limited setting. We report a case of abdominal pregnancy that presented to Médecins Sans Frontières field hospital in Agok, South Sudan, with abdominal pain. Examination revealed a term pregnancy and a live fetus in transverse lie. The diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy was made intraoperatively, with successful management and delivery of a healthy baby.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2008 January 31
Keus K, Houston S, Melaku Y, Burling S
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2008 January 31
This is a descriptive report of a pilot project of tuberculosis (TB) treatment in a conflict zone. A TB programme was implemented by Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF)-Holland in a semi-nomadic population in a very insecure and underdeveloped area of Upper Nile province in Southern Sudan. Outcome measures were operational feasibility, default rate, and sputum smear conversion at 4 months. A cohort of TB patients was admitted over a 10-week period (July-September 2001). Adherence strategy, project implementation, and and contingency planning were adapted to local conditions. The treatment regimen (4 HRZE [4-month daily supervised regimen] followed by 3EH or 3TH [3-month unsupervised regimen]: isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z), ethambutol (E) and thiacetazone (T)) was a variant on the Manyatta regimen developed for semi-nomads in Kenya. Of 163 patients, 84 (52%) were children aged < 15 years. Lymph node TB comprised 34% and spinal TB 15% of all patients. Among adults, 41% had smear-positive pulmonary disease. Only 1 patient (0.6%) defaulted. All sputum smear-positive patients who completed 4 months of therapy converted to smear-negative, although 2 were subsequently found to have relapsed. TB in complex emergency situations is an underrecognized priority. Using an approach adapted especially to this setting, TB treatment was successfully implemented with minimal risk of promoting drug resistance, in an unstable setting.
Conference Material > Poster
Niykayo LF, Mahajan R, Sagrado MJ, Ajack YBP, Chol BT, et al.
MSF Paediatric Days 2024. 2024 May 3; DOI:10.57740/CO9XKuY
Conference Material > Poster
Guardiola M, Skidmore J, Kituyi M, Sagrado MJ, Tembo K
MSF Paediatric Days 2024. 2024 May 3; DOI:10.57740/esTV2iD
Conference Material > Abstract
Nesbitt RC
Epicentre Scientific Day Paris 2023. 2023 June 8
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis E causes high mortality among pregnant women with case fatality risks of 10-25%, and adverse fetal outcomes. Hecolin® is a safe and efficacious vaccine against Hepatitis E, but there is an evidence gap on its safety in pregnant women. In 2015 the WHO recommended its use in response to outbreaks, including vaccinating pregnant women. The first mass reactive vaccination campaign against Hepatitis E was conducted in Bentiu including pregnant women and achieved high administrative vaccination coverage. We aimed to document pregnancy outcomes in a cohort of vaccinated and non-vaccinated pregnant women.
METHODS
An exhaustive pregnancy census was conducted after the second vaccination round from 16 May to 30 June 2022 to recruit women who were pregnant between 1 January 2022 and the interview date. Women were recontacted a minimum of 28 days after expected delivery to assess pregnancy outcome. Categorization of the cohort according to timing of potential vaccine exposure in pregnancy and regression models to evaluate the association between at least one dose in pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes is ongoing.
RESULTS
Of 20,674 women of childbearing age who consented for interview, 3,458 (16.7%) reported being pregnant since 1 January 2022. Women were a mean of 25.5 years old, had a median of 2 previous pregnancies (0-11), and 21 (0.6%) reported experiencing jaundice during their current pregnancy. Overall, 2723 (78.7%) women received at least one dose of Hecolin®. Access to delivery care was high, with 90% of women delivering in a health facility; 357 (10.3%) women reported a complication during delivery and 16 (0.5%) reported a caesarean section. According to interview, 3233 (93.5%) women had a livebirth, and 225 (6.9%) had a pregnancy loss, including 57 (1.6%) reported stillbirths, translating to a stillbirth rate of 17.6/1000 pregnancies, compared to the national estimate of 25.8/1000 pregnancies.
CONCLUSION
It was feasible to implement an observational study on the safety of vaccination in pregnancy alongside the first deployment of Hecolin® in a humanitarian emergency setting. Access to delivery care is reflected in the lower than national average rate of stillbirth in the camp. Results are expected to narrow the evidence gap on the safety of this vaccine in pregnancy.
KEY MESSAGE
A cohort study on the safety of vaccination in pregnancy was implemented alongside the first deployment of Hecolin® in a humanitarian emergency setting. Preliminary results show overall high coverage with at least one dose and access to delivery care among women in the cohort
This abstract is not to be quoted for publication.
Hepatitis E causes high mortality among pregnant women with case fatality risks of 10-25%, and adverse fetal outcomes. Hecolin® is a safe and efficacious vaccine against Hepatitis E, but there is an evidence gap on its safety in pregnant women. In 2015 the WHO recommended its use in response to outbreaks, including vaccinating pregnant women. The first mass reactive vaccination campaign against Hepatitis E was conducted in Bentiu including pregnant women and achieved high administrative vaccination coverage. We aimed to document pregnancy outcomes in a cohort of vaccinated and non-vaccinated pregnant women.
METHODS
An exhaustive pregnancy census was conducted after the second vaccination round from 16 May to 30 June 2022 to recruit women who were pregnant between 1 January 2022 and the interview date. Women were recontacted a minimum of 28 days after expected delivery to assess pregnancy outcome. Categorization of the cohort according to timing of potential vaccine exposure in pregnancy and regression models to evaluate the association between at least one dose in pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes is ongoing.
RESULTS
Of 20,674 women of childbearing age who consented for interview, 3,458 (16.7%) reported being pregnant since 1 January 2022. Women were a mean of 25.5 years old, had a median of 2 previous pregnancies (0-11), and 21 (0.6%) reported experiencing jaundice during their current pregnancy. Overall, 2723 (78.7%) women received at least one dose of Hecolin®. Access to delivery care was high, with 90% of women delivering in a health facility; 357 (10.3%) women reported a complication during delivery and 16 (0.5%) reported a caesarean section. According to interview, 3233 (93.5%) women had a livebirth, and 225 (6.9%) had a pregnancy loss, including 57 (1.6%) reported stillbirths, translating to a stillbirth rate of 17.6/1000 pregnancies, compared to the national estimate of 25.8/1000 pregnancies.
CONCLUSION
It was feasible to implement an observational study on the safety of vaccination in pregnancy alongside the first deployment of Hecolin® in a humanitarian emergency setting. Access to delivery care is reflected in the lower than national average rate of stillbirth in the camp. Results are expected to narrow the evidence gap on the safety of this vaccine in pregnancy.
KEY MESSAGE
A cohort study on the safety of vaccination in pregnancy was implemented alongside the first deployment of Hecolin® in a humanitarian emergency setting. Preliminary results show overall high coverage with at least one dose and access to delivery care among women in the cohort
This abstract is not to be quoted for publication.
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Confl Health. 2018 March 26; Volume 12 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s13031-018-0147-z
Rull M, Masson S, Peyraud N, Simonelli M, Ventura A, et al.
Confl Health. 2018 March 26; Volume 12 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s13031-018-0147-z
The main causes of death during population movements can be prevented by addressing the population's basic needs. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a framework for decision making to help prioritize vaccinations in acute humanitarian emergencies. This article describes MSF's experience of applying this framework in addition to addressing key population needs in a displacement setting in Minkaman, South Sudan.