ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in infectious disease surveillance , especially in West Africa where endemic viruses including Lassa fever persist. The overlapping clinical symptoms of these two infections create diagnostic challenges and the possibility of undetected co-infections. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using archived serum samples from a nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence survey in Ghana . 434 samples across six regions were tested for SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies (IgG/IgM) using the WANTAI ELISA kit and Lassa virus IgG using ReLASV Pan-Lassa-NP-IgG ELISA. Results SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence was 64.29% (n = 279) and Lassa virus IgG prevalence was 20.28% (n = 88). Of the cohort of subjects who were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2, 20.79% were also seropositive for LASV IgG . Multivariate analysis revealed household size as a strong risk factor of dual exposure . Individuals from medium-sized households (...

  Abstract Avian influenza A(H9N2) has been circulating in poultry across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, posing human health risks . In Ghana , it has co-circulated among poultry with influenza A ( H5N1 ). This report describes Ghana’s first confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection in a two-year-old boy from Upper East Region , identified through active respiratory surveillance . Molecular and genomic analyses confirmed the virus was of the G1 lineage , closely related to other West African strains , with mammalian adaptive mutations known to increase human infection potential. The child experienced mild symptoms , received outpatient care, and recovered. Health authorities conducted epidemiological investigations . No source was identified for the child’s infection; no additional human infections were detected. This case highlights the importance of robust avian influenza surveillance in animals and humans, particularly in regions with human-animal inter...