Large-scale HEV genotype 3 outbreak on New Caledonia Island.

Background And Aims: Several symptomatic cases of HEV infections were reported to the New Caledonia Island Public Health Service between August and December 2023. This prompted epidemiological and virological investigations to identify the source of infection.

Approach And Results: HEV RNA was assessed in symptomatic patients, various food items, and pig farms on the Island.

The novel HLA-DQA1*03:01:12 allele identified using next-generation sequencing in a Melanesian individual.

HLA-DQA1*03:01:12 differs from HLA-DQA1*03:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 21 in exon 2.

Enterovirus meningitis in Mayotte French Comoros Island, March-June 2019.

Background: Enteroviruses (EV) are the most frequent cause of acute meningitis worldwide, and regularly responsible for outbreaks. Human parechoviruses (PeV) are associated with sepsis and meningitis in young infants. In Mayotte, a French department located in the Comoros archipelago, EVs and PeVs are not part of the routine screening of cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) of patients with meningitis.

A prospective study evaluating congenital CMV infection in Mayotte and La Reunion Islands (France).

OBJECTIVES Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) affects around 3400 newborns each year in France, of whom 700 will develop sequelae, primarily sensorineural hearing loss. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate incidence of cCMV in two French departments located in the Indian Ocean: Mayotte and La Reunion, and (2) evaluate interest and feasibility/acceptability of universal screening of cCMV at birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS We implemented a universal neonatal CMV screening in Mayotte during 7 months in 2019 and in La Reunion during one month in March 2020.