Incidence and seroprevalence of rabies virus in humans, dogs and other animal species in Africa, a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jocelyne Noel Sowe Wobessi,
Sebastien Kenmoe,
Gadji Mahamat,
Jean Thierry Ebogo Belobo,
Cynthia Paola Demeni Emoh,
Atembeh Noura Efietngab,
Sandrine Rachel Kingue Bebey,
Dimitri Tchami Ngongang,
Serges Tchatchouang,
Nathalie Diane Nzukui,
Abdou Fatawou Modiyinji,
Raïssa Estelle Guiamdjo Simo,
Aude Christelle Ka'e,
Hervé Raoul Tazokong,
Arnol Bowo Ngandji,
Donatien Serge Mbaga,
Cyprien Kengne-Nde,
Serge Alain Sadeuh-Mba,
Richard Njouom
Affiliations
Jocelyne Noel Sowe Wobessi
Virology Department, Centre, Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon,; Ecole Doctorale Régionale d'Afrique Centrale, Franceville, Gabon
Sebastien Kenmoe
Virology Department, Centre, Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Gadji Mahamat
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Jean Thierry Ebogo Belobo
Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon,
Cynthia Paola Demeni Emoh
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Atembeh Noura Efietngab
Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon,
Sandrine Rachel Kingue Bebey
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Dimitri Tchami Ngongang
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Serges Tchatchouang
Bacteriology Department, Centre, Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Nathalie Diane Nzukui
School of Health Sciences-Catholic University of Central Africa, Department of Medical Microbiology, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Abdou Fatawou Modiyinji
Ecole Doctorale Régionale d'Afrique Centrale, Franceville, Gabon; Department of Animals Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Raïssa Estelle Guiamdjo Simo
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Aude Christelle Ka'e
Virology Department, Chantal Biya International Reference Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Hervé Raoul Tazokong
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Arnol Bowo Ngandji
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Donatien Serge Mbaga
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Cyprien Kengne-Nde
Epidemiological Surveillance, Evaluation and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Committee, Yaounde, Cameroon
Serge Alain Sadeuh-Mba
Virology Department, Centre, Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Richard Njouom
Virology Department, Centre, Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon,; Corresponding author at: Richard Njouom, PhD/HDR; Head of the Virology Department, Centre, Pasteur Cameroon, P.O Box: 1274 Yaoundé;
Rabies is transmitted to humans mainly by dogs but also by other animal species. Reliable data on the incidence of Rabies virus (RABV) in humans, dogs, and other animal species in Africa, could be essential in the implementation of a global strategic plan to eliminate the RABV by 2030 as adopted by the WHO, OIE, and FAO. We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, African Journal Online, and African Index Medicus databases for relevant studies that report data on the incidence of RABV in Africa up to February 17, 2020. Information on active and past RABV exposures in various categories of dogs, humans and other animal species were extracted. Incidence and seroprevalence estimates were pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. We included 73 articles which provided 142 RABV incidence and seroprevalence records in 21 African countries. The estimated incidence of RABV in 222 humans, 15,600 dogs, and 12,865 other animal species was 83.4% (95% CI = 64.6–96.5), 44.1% (95% CI = 35.1–53.4), and 41.4% (95% CI = 29.6–53.8), respectively. The estimated seroprevalence of RABV in 420 humans, 3577 dogs, and 8,55 other animal species was 33.8% (95% CI = 21.9–46.8), 19.8% (95% CI = 13.3–27.3), and 3.6% (95% CI = 0.3–9.2), respectively. The incidence of RABV in general was higher in suspected rabid dogs, other animal species of the Orders Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla and Carnivora. The incidence of RABV was higher for humans in regions of West and East Africa, for dogs in urban areas and in regions of Central and South Africa, and for animals of the order Perissodactyla in urban areas. This meta-analysis demonstrated a high incidence of RABV in Africa. Itis necessary to improve surveillance system to provide reliable data on RABV in Africa, essential for the implementation of an effective control strategy.
