Fritz M., Taty R. T., Portella C., Guimbi C., Mankou M., Leroy Eric, Becquart Pierre. (2019). Re-emergence of chikungunya in the Republic of the Congo in 2019 associated with a possible vector-host switch. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 84, p. 99-101. ISSN 1201-9712.
Titre du document
Re-emergence of chikungunya in the Republic of the Congo in 2019 associated with a possible vector-host switch
Fritz M., Taty R. T., Portella C., Guimbi C., Mankou M., Leroy Eric, Becquart Pierre
Source
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2019,
84, p. 99-101 ISSN 1201-9712
In January 2019, an outbreak of chikungunya virus fever was reported in a rural region near Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of this new CHIKV strain demonstrated the presence of the A226V substitution and a surprisingly close relation with Aedes aegypti-associated Central Africa chikungunya strains. These results, combined with the preponderance of Aedes albopictus in the outbreak area, suggest a recent vector-host switch facilitated by the emergence and spread of the A226V mutation from a related CHIKV strain previously circulating in Aedes aegypti. The proximity of this outbreak to the large city of Pointe-Noire alerts us to a possibly devastating future outbreak in the absence of measures limiting the proliferation of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes.
