Low seroprevalence of Zika virus in Cameroonian blood donors

Braz J Infect Dis. 2017 Jul-Aug;21(4):481-483. doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2017.03.018. Epub 2017 May 23.

Abstract

A Zika virus seroepidemiology study was performed in 1084 blood donors collected from August to October 2015 in six sites of Cameroon representing a large panel of eco-environments. Samples were tested using an anti-NS1 IgG ELISA detection kit and positives were further confirmed by seroneutralization. The observed global seroprevalence was low (around 5%, peaking at 10% and 7.7% in Douala and Bertoua, respectively) with risk factors associated with seropositivity pointing to the existence of a local (peri-)sylvatic cycle of transmission. These results call attention to the potential introduction and subsequent spread in African urban areas of Asian genotype Zika virus currently circulating in the Americas and adapted to transmission by peri-domestic mosquitoes. They should leverage reinforced surveillance efforts in Africa.

Keywords: Africa; Seroprevalence; Zika virus.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Donors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Zika Virus / immunology
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology*