Epidemiologic and Ecologic Investigations of Monkeypox, Likouala Department, Republic of the Congo, 2017.

Reena H Doshi,Clint N Morgan,Audrey Matheny,Jean-Vivien Mombouli,Jean Malekani,Tobi N’Kaya,Cynthia Moses,Lambert Kitembo,Mary G Reynolds,Yoshinori Nakazawa,Jeffrey B Doty,Elisabeth Pukuta,Therese Kanjingankolo,Brett W Petersen,Angelie Dzabatou Babeaux,Fabien Kangoula,Andrea M Mccollum,Jillybeth Burgado,Nestor Ndakala,Sarah Anne J Guagliardo,Panayampalli S Satheshkumar ,Lem’s N Kalemba ,Michael Townsend

doi:10.3201/eid2502.181222

Abstract

Monkeypox, caused by a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, is endemic in Central and West Africa. Monkeypox has been sporadically reported in the Republic of the Congo. During March 22–April 5, 2017, we investigated 43 suspected human monkeypox cases. We interviewed suspected case-patients and collected dried blood strips and vesicular and crust specimens (active lesions), which we tested for orthopoxvirus antibodies by ELISA and monkeypox virus and varicella zoster virus DNA by PCR. An ecologic investigation was conducted around Manfouété, and specimens from 105 small mammals were tested for anti-orthopoxvirus antibodies or DNA. Among the suspected human cases, 22 met the confirmed, probable, and possible case definitions. Only 18 patients had available dried blood strips; 100% were IgG positive, and 88.9% (16/18) were IgM positive. Among animals, only specimens from Cricetomys giant pouched rats showed presence of orthopoxvirus antibodies, adding evidence to this species’ involvement in the transmission and maintenance of monkeypox virus in nature.

Highlights

Panayampalli Subbian Satheshkumar, Nestor Ndakala, Therese Kanjingankolo, Lambert Kitembo, Jean Malekani, Lem’s Kalemba, Elisabeth Pukuta, Tobi N’kaya, Fabien Kangoula, Cynthia Moses, Andrea M
The incidence of human monkeypox appears to have increased in countries to which the virus is endemic; it is unknown whether this increase is the result of waning population-level immunity or other factors [6,7,8]
The northern part of Republic of the Congo, in 2003, 2007, and 2010, in which the agent was closely related to Monkeypox virus (MPXV) found in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [20,21]

Summary

Introduction

Panayampalli Subbian Satheshkumar, Nestor Ndakala, Therese Kanjingankolo, Lambert Kitembo, Jean Malekani, Lem’s Kalemba, Elisabeth Pukuta, Tobi N’kaya, Fabien Kangoula, Cynthia Moses, Andrea M. Monkeypox, caused by a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, is endemic in Central and West Africa. We interviewed suspected casepatients and collected dried blood strips and vesicular and crust specimens (active lesions), which we tested for orthopoxvirus antibodies by ELISA and monkeypox virus and varicella zoster virus DNA by PCR. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, endemic to the heavily forested regions of West and Central Africa. Humans can acquire MPXV via respiratory droplets or other bodily fluids or by direct contact with lesion material of infected patients [9]. The wild animal reservoir of MPXV remains unknown; evidence implicates rodents and other small mammals [12,13,14,15], whereas infection of humans and monkeys appears to be incidental [16]. RESEARCH the northern part of Republic of the Congo, in 2003, 2007, and 2010, in which the agent was closely related to MPXV found in DRC [20,21]

Methods

Results

Conclusion