Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, often caused by an autoimmune reaction, or in most cases because of a direct viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Viral encephalitides (VE) presents a significant public health concern globally, especially in West Africa. There are more than five hu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Infectious Disease Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7449/15/5/50 |
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| author | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ifeoluwa Peace Oladapo Abdulafees Hamzat |
| author_facet | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ifeoluwa Peace Oladapo Abdulafees Hamzat |
| author_sort | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, often caused by an autoimmune reaction, or in most cases because of a direct viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Viral encephalitides (VE) presents a significant public health concern globally, especially in West Africa. There are more than five hundred known arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), with over a hundred of them identified to cause encephalitic diseases in humans and animals, giving rise to a tremendous burden of the diseases and socioeconomic strains in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Despite their importance, few effective preventive and control measures in the form of vaccines and therapies are available, and when they are, their use is limited. These limitations are largely hinged on the paucity of information about the molecular epidemiology and transmission patterns of VE in West Africa. Here, we reviewed the transmission dynamics, molecular epidemiology, and the ecological drivers of VE in West Africa. Collectively, timely and accurate interventions are essential for encephalitic viral disease control. Moreover, the integrated health system approach, combining surveillance, vaccination, vector control, and community engagement, could be effective in preventing viral encephalitis globally. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:12:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56d423aedc964b76b51a2123f9da122d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2036-7449 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:12:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Disease Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-56d423aedc964b76b51a2123f9da122d2023-11-19T16:40:29ZengMDPI AGInfectious Disease Reports2036-74492023-09-0115550451710.3390/idr15050050Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West AfricaOlalekan Chris Akinsulie0Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola1Victor Ayodele Aliyu2Ifeoluwa Peace Oladapo3Abdulafees Hamzat4College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USAFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, NigeriaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, NigeriaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USAFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, NigeriaEncephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, often caused by an autoimmune reaction, or in most cases because of a direct viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Viral encephalitides (VE) presents a significant public health concern globally, especially in West Africa. There are more than five hundred known arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), with over a hundred of them identified to cause encephalitic diseases in humans and animals, giving rise to a tremendous burden of the diseases and socioeconomic strains in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Despite their importance, few effective preventive and control measures in the form of vaccines and therapies are available, and when they are, their use is limited. These limitations are largely hinged on the paucity of information about the molecular epidemiology and transmission patterns of VE in West Africa. Here, we reviewed the transmission dynamics, molecular epidemiology, and the ecological drivers of VE in West Africa. Collectively, timely and accurate interventions are essential for encephalitic viral disease control. Moreover, the integrated health system approach, combining surveillance, vaccination, vector control, and community engagement, could be effective in preventing viral encephalitis globally.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7449/15/5/50viral encephalitidestransmission dynamicsepidemiologyOne Health |
| spellingShingle | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ifeoluwa Peace Oladapo Abdulafees Hamzat Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa Infectious Disease Reports viral encephalitides transmission dynamics epidemiology One Health |
| title | Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa |
| title_full | Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa |
| title_short | Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Viral Encephalitides in West Africa |
| title_sort | epidemiology and transmission dynamics of viral encephalitides in west africa |
| topic | viral encephalitides transmission dynamics epidemiology One Health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7449/15/5/50 |
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