Author:
Padane Abdou,Tegally Houriiyah,Ramphal Yajna,Seyni Ndiaye,Sarr Mariéma,Diop Mame Matar,Diedhiou Cyrille Kouligueul,Mboup Aminata,Diouf Ndèye Dieyna,Souaré Abdoulaye,Diagne Ndéye Diabou,Aza-Gnandji Marilyne,Dabo Ndèye Astou,Dia Yacine Amet,Diaw Ndeye Aminata,Leye Nafissatou,Diaw Papa Alassane,Ahouidi Ambroise,Cissé Badara,Diallo Abdoulaye Samba,Diop Ousmane,Diallo Abdou Aziz,Ndoye Souadou,Sanko Tomasz J.,Baxter Cheryl,Wilkinson Eduan,San James E.,Tshabuila Derek,Naidoo Yeshnee,Pillay Sureshnee,Lessells Richard,Cissé Khady,Leye Abdoulaye,Mbaye Khalifa Ababacar,Kania Dramane,Tinto Bachirou,Traoré Isidore,Kagone Sampawendé Thérèse,Ouedraogo Abdoul Salam,Gifford Robert J.,Lourenço José,Giovanetti Marta,Giandhari Jennifer,de Oliveira Tulio,Mboup Souleymane
Abstract
AbstractChikungunya (CHIKV) is a re-emerging endemic arbovirus in West Africa. Since July 2023, Senegal and Burkina Faso have been experiencing an ongoing outbreak, with over 300 confirmed cases detected so far in the regions of Kédougou and Tambacounda in Senegal, the largest recorded outbreak yet. CHIKV is typically maintained in a sylvatic cycle in Senegal but its evolution and factors contributing to re-emergence are so far unknown in West Africa, leaving a gap in understanding and responding to recurrent epidemics. We produced, in real-time, the first locally-generated and publicly available CHIKV whole genomes in West Africa, to characterize the genetic diversity of circulating strains, along with phylodynamic analysis to estimate time of emergence and population growth dynamics. A novel strain of the West African genotype, phylogenetically distinct from strains circulating in previous outbreaks, was identified. This suggests a likely new spillover from sylvatic cycles in rural Senegal and potential of seeding larger epidemics in urban settings in Senegal and elsewhere.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory