Trend of expansion of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 burden in Gabon (Central Africa) in mid-2021, based on a serological survey

Berthe A Iroungou; Pamela Boundzanga Moussavou; Eric Elguero; Jamal Makran; Berthold Bivigou-Mboumba; Elise Wora; Jean R Nzenze; Fabien Roche Niama; Avelin F Aghokeng

doi:10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.08.006

Trend of expansion of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 burden in Gabon (Central Africa) in mid-2021, based on a serological survey

IJID Reg. 2022 Dec:5:13-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.08.006. Epub 2022 Aug 27.

Authors

Berthe A Iroungou¹, Pamela Boundzanga Moussavou¹, Eric Elguero², Jamal Makran², Berthold Bivigou-Mboumba¹, Elise Wora¹, Jean R Nzenze³, Fabien Roche Niama⁴, Avelin F Aghokeng^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Unité Mixte de Recherche, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville et le Service de Santé Militaire, Libreville, Gabon.
² MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.
³ Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Omar Bongo Ondimba, Libreville, Gabon.
⁴ National Laboratory of Public Health, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population in Gabon, Central Africa.

Methods: From May to July 2021, a cross-sectional study involving participants recruited in the general population in three districts in Gabon was conducted. Eligible participants who provided written informed consent were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a simple rapid diagnostic assay.

Results: Overall, 1609 participants were recruited, 1361 (84.6%) from urban sites and 248 (15.4%) from a rural area. The estimated overall seroprevalence was 13.1% (95% CI 11.4-14.8%). The risk of seropositivity increased with age, and the prevalence in the different age groups ranged from 12.9% (8.0-19.4%) in those aged 15-24 years to 23.3% (14.2-34.6%) in those ≥ 65 years old. A higher prevalence was found in the rural population (17.3%; 12.8-22.6%) compared with urban regions (12.3%; 10.6-14.1%). Being a woman was also associated with higher risk of infection (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: This seroprevalence survey revealed a moderate seroprevalence in Gabon, illustrating a relatively low rate of circulation of the virus in the country and correlating with low numbers of confirmed cases and deaths reported to date.