Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jan 2023)

High SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence after Second COVID-19 Wave (October 2020–April 2021), Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Yannick Munyeku-Bazitama,
  • Gervais T. Folefack,
  • Marc K. Yambayamba,
  • Paul M. Tshiminyi,
  • Benito M. Kazenza,
  • John O. Otshudiema,
  • Noe Tondri Guinko,
  • Moreau D. Umba,
  • Anastasie Mulumba,
  • Lionel K. Baketana,
  • Patrick K. Mukadi,
  • Chris Smith,
  • Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum,
  • Steve Ahuka-Mundeke,
  • Sheila Makiala-Mandanda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2901.221009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 1
pp. 89 – 97

Abstract

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Serologic surveys are important tools for estimating the true burden of COVID-19 in a given population. After the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, a household-based survey conducted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, estimated >292 infections going undiagnosed for every laboratory-confirmed case. To ascertain the cumulative population exposure in Kinshasa after the second wave of COVID-19, we conducted a prospective population-based cross-sectional study using a highly sensitive and specific ELISA kit. The survey included 2,560 consenting persons from 585 households; 55% were female and 45% male. The overall population-weighted, test kit–adjusted SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 76.5% (95% CI 74.5%–78.5%). The seroprevalence was 4-fold higher than during the first wave, and positivity was associated with age, household average monthly income, and level of education. Evidence generated from this population-based survey can inform COVID-19 response, especially vaccination campaign strategies in the context of vaccine shortages and hesitancy.

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