Abstract
During 2015–2016, Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, experienced a Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak involving 7,580 suspected Zika cases and 18 microcephaly cases. Analysis of the complete genomes of 3 ZIKV isolates from the outbreak indicated the strain was of the Asian (not African) lineage. The Cape Verde ZIKV sequences formed a distinct monophylogenetic group and possessed 1–2 (T659A, I756V) unique amino acid changes in the envelope protein. Phylogeographic and serologic evidence support earlier introduction of this lineage into Cape Verde, possibly from northeast Brazil, between June 2014 and August 2015, suggesting cryptic circulation of the virus before the initial wave of cases were detected in October 2015. These findings underscore the utility of genomic-scale epidemiology for outbreak investigations.
Highlights
Zika virus (ZIKV) of the African lineage have been isolated from many regions of Africa [2], mostly through entomologic investigations, and serologic evidence suggests that ZIKV infections in humans are frequent [3]
We report the findings of samples from 1,226 patients with suspected ZIKV infections (Table), as well as patients not fitting the Zika case definition
Samples were tested over the course of the Cape Verde outbreak
Summary
Blood samples sent to the regional reference laboratory of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Dakar, Senegal) confirmed the epidemic involved ZIKV infection. Sample Collection In October 2015, Cape Verde reported a ZIKV outbreak and initiated a surveillance system to investigate the circulation of the virus in the country. Serologic Tests We tested serum samples (collected
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
