Lassa fever in Nigeria: epidemiology and risk perception.

Annual outbreaks of Lassa fever have resulted in a public health threat in Nigeria and other endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the Lassa Virus (LASV) is endemic in rodent populations, zoonotic spillover to humans causes annual outbreaks. This study reviewed the burden of Lassa fever (LF) in Nigeria between 2020 and 2023 and conducted a cross-sectional survey of Nigerians to evaluate their risk perceptions of LF.

Evidence for Horizontal Transmission and Recirculation of Shiga Toxin-Producing in the Beef Production Chain in South Africa Using Whole Genome Sequencing.

We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) as an epidemiologic surveillance tool to elucidate the transmission dynamics of Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) strains along the beef production chain in South Africa. Isolates were obtained from a cattle farm, abattoirs and retail outlets. Isolates were analysed using WGS on a MiSeq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) and phylogenetic analysis was carried out.

Characterisation and epidemiological subtyping of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from the beef production chain in Gauteng, South Africa.

In South Africa, there is a shortage of epidemiologic data on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the beef production chain. This study was conducted to characterise STEC isolates originating from three studies conducted in a cattle feedlot, beef abattoirs and retail outlets in Gauteng province, South Africa. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect virulence genes, the Epsilometer test to assess antimicrobial susceptibility, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to investigate genetic relatedness of isolates, and conventional serotyping for phenotypic identification.

Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Contamination of Raw Beef and Beef-Based Ready-to-Eat Products at Retail Outlets in Pretoria, South Africa.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in raw beef and ready-to-eat (RTE) beef products sold in 31 retail outlets in Pretoria, South Africa, and nearby areas. A total of 463 beef and RTE samples were screened for four STEC virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eaeA, and hlyA) and seven O-serogroups (O113, O157, O26, O91, O145, O111, and O103) with a multiplex PCR assay. The total aerobic plate count (TAPC) per gram was also determined.