Dynamics of Cholera Outbreaks in Great Lakes Region of Africa,

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Authors
Bompangue, N.D.
Giraudoux, P.
Plisnier, P.-D.
Tinda, A.M.
Piarroux, M.
Sudre, B.
Horion, S.
Muyembe, J.-J.
Kebela, B.
Piarroux, R.
Discipline
Earth and related Environmental sciences
Subject
Surface environments and collection management
Audience
Scientific
Date
2011Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
Cholera outbreaks have occurred in Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya almost every year since 1977 1978, when the disease emerged in these countries. We used a multiscale, geographic information system based approach to assess the link between cholera outbreaks, climate, and environmental variables. We performed time-series analyses and fi eld investigations in the main affected areas. Results showed that cholera greatly increased during El Niño warm events (abnormally warm El Niños) but decreased or remained stable between these events. Most epidemics occurred in a few hotspots in lakeside areas, where the weekly incidence of cholera varied by season, rainfall, fl uctuations of plankton, and fi shing activities. During lull periods, persistence of cholera was explained by outbreak dynamics, which suggested a metapopulation pattern, and by endemic foci around the lakes. These links between cholera outbreaks, climate, and lake environments need additional, multidisciplinary study.
Citation
Bompangue, N.D.; Giraudoux, P.; Plisnier, P.-D.; Tinda, A.M.; Piarroux, M.; Sudre, B.; Horion, S.; Muyembe, J.-J.; Kebela, B.; Piarroux, R. (2011). Dynamics of Cholera Outbreaks in Great Lakes Region of Africa,. , Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 17 (11), 2026-2034,Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng