SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey among adults involved in healthcare and health research in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benn, C.S.; Salinha, A.; Mendes, S.; Cabral, C.; Martins, C.; Nielsen, S.; Fisker, A.B.; Schaltz-Buchholzer, F.; Jørgensen, C.S.; Aaby, P.
• Is Part Of: Public health. Volume 203(2022)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Public health -- COVID-19 prevalence -- Sub-Saharan Africa -- Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection -- COVID-19 among health professionals; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3506

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Many African countries have reported fewer COVID-19 cases than countries elsewhere. By the end of 2020, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, had <2500 PCR-confirmed cases corresponding to 0.1% of the ∼1.8 million national population. We assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in urban Guinea-Bissau to help guide the pandemic response in Guinea-Bissau. Study design: Cross-sectional assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in a cohort of staff at the Bandim Health Project. Methods: We measured IgG antibodies using point-of-care rapid tests among 140 staff and associates at a biometric research field station in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, during November 2020. Results: Of 140 participants, 25 (18%) were IgG-positive. Among IgG-positives, 12 (48%) reported an episode of illness since the onset of the pandemic. Twenty-five (18%) participants had been PCR-tested between May and September; 7 (28%) had been PCR-positive. Four of these seven tested IgG-negative in the present study. Five participants reported that somebody had died in their house, corresponding crudely to an annual death rate of 4.5/1000 people; no death was attributed to COVID-19. Outdoor workers had a lower prevalence of IgG-positivity. Conclusions: In spite of the low official number of COVID-19 cases, our serosurvey found a high prevalence of IgG-positivity. Most IgG-positives had not been ill. The official number of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases has thus grossly underestimated the prevalence of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The observed overall mortality rate in households of Bandim Health Project employees was not higher than the official Guinean mortality rate of 9.6/1000 people.