Open AccessEpidemiology and molecular characterization of influenza viruses in Burkina Faso, sub‐Saharan Africa
Author(s) -
Sanou Armel M.,
Wandaogo Sampoko Carine M.,
Poda Armel,
Tamini Laure,
Kyere Anselme E.,
Sagna Tani,
Ouedraogo Macaire S.,
Pauly Maude,
Hübschen Judith M.,
Muller Claude P.,
Tarnagda Zekiba,
Snoeck Chantal J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12539
Subject(s) - hemagglutinin (influenza) , transmission (telecommunications) , subtyping , epidemiology , clade , vaccination , virology , molecular epidemiology , influenza a virus , pandemic , medicine , influenza a virus subtype h5n1 , outbreak , phylogenetic tree , biology , virus , disease , covid-19 , genotype , infectious disease (medical specialty) , gene , biochemistry , electrical engineering , computer science , engineering , programming language
Background The importance of influenza viruses in respiratory infections in sub‐Saharan Africa has been historically overlooked, including in Burkina Faso. Objectives This study therefore aimed at evaluating the prevalence and seasonal occurrence of influenza viruses in children under 5 years old, at risk of influenza‐related complications, presenting with influenza‐like illness ( ILI ) or severe acute respiratory infection ( SARI ). The study also aimed at identifying the periods with increased influenza transmission for vaccination recommendations in Burkina Faso. Methods From January 2014 to December 2015, ILI and SARI (2015 only) patients were recruited in six healthcare centers in Burkina Faso. Influenza A and B molecular detection and subtyping were performed. Clade clustering of a subset of A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) strains was deduced by performing phylogenetic analyses on hemagglutinin gene sequences. Weekly surveillance data from FluNet (2011‐2013; 2016) and this study (2014‐2015) were used to identify periods of increased influenza activity. Results Influenza A and B viruses were detected in 15.1% (112 of 743) of ILI and 6.6% (12 of 181) of SARI patients. Overall, influenza A viruses were largely predominant (81 of 124, 65.3%), with 69.1% of A(H3N2) and 30.9% of A(H1N1)pdm09 strains. Four waves of increased transmission were identified in 2014‐2015, each dominated by different influenza subtypes and clades. Between 2011 and 2016, periods of increased influenza activity varied in their frequency, duration, and timing. Conclusion Influenza A and B viruses were detected in a substantial number of ILI and SARI cases in Burkina Faso. Vaccination in September‐October would likely protect the highest number of patients.