Assessment of the pathogen genomics landscape highlights disparities and challenges for effective AMR Surveillance and outbreak response in the East African community.

The East African Community (EAC) grapples with many challenges in tackling infectious disease threats and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), underscoring the importance of regional and robust pathogen genomics capacities. However, a significant disparity exists among EAC Partner States in harnessing bacterial pathogen sequencing and data analysis capabilities for effective AMR surveillance and outbreak response. This study assesses the current landscape and challenges associated with pathogen next-generation sequencing (NGS) within EAC, explicitly focusing on World Health Organization (WHO) AMR-priority pathogens. The assessment adopts a comprehensive approach, integrating a questionnaire-based survey amongst National Public Health Laboratories (NPHLs) with an analysis of publicly available metadata on bacterial pathogens isolated in the EAC countries. In addition to the heavy reliance on third-party organizations for bacterial NGS, the findings reveal a significant disparity among EAC member States in leveraging bacterial pathogen sequencing and data analysis. Approximately 97% (n = 4,462) of publicly available high-quality bacterial genome assemblies of samples collected in the EAC were processed and analyzed by external organizations, mainly in Europe and North America. Tanzania led in-country sequencing efforts, followed by Kenya and Uganda. The other EAC countries had no publicly available samples or had all their samples sequenced and analyzed outside the region. Insufficient local NGS sequencing facilities, limited bioinformatics expertise, lack of adequate computing resources, and inadequate data-sharing mechanisms are among the most pressing challenges that hinder the EAC's NPHLs from effectively leveraging pathogen genomics data. These insights emphasized the need to strengthen microbial pathogen sequencing and data analysis capabilities within the EAC to empower these laboratories to conduct pathogen sequencing and data analysis independently. Substantial investments in equipment, technology, and capacity-building initiatives are crucial for supporting regional preparedness against infectious disease outbreaks and mitigating the impact of AMR burden. In addition, collaborative efforts should be developed to narrow the gap, remedy regional imbalances, and harmonize NGS data standards. Supporting regional collaboration, strengthening in-country genomics capabilities, and investing in long-term training programs will ultimately improve pathogen data generation and foster a robust NGS-driven AMR surveillance and outbreak response in the EAC, thereby supporting global health initiatives.

Rapid regional mobile laboratory response and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance in seven East African Community partner states, August 2024: preparedness activities for the ongoing outbreak.

The East African Community (EAC) is experiencing an unprecedented, emerging mpox outbreak since July 2024 in five of eight partner states. We highlight rapid regional response measures, initiated August 2024 coordinated by EAC: field deployment of six mobile laboratories in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan to high-risk areas, donation of one mobile laboratory to Democratic Republic of the Congo and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance support. These interventions aim to limit local mpox spread and support international containment.

Genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Burundi, from May 2021 to January 2022.

BACKGROUND: The emergence and rapid spread of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) variants have challenged the control of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Burundi was not spared by that pandemic, but the genetic diversity, evolution, and epidemiology of those variants in the country remained poorly understood. The present study sought to investigate the role of different SARS-COV-2 variants in the successive COVID-19 waves experienced in Burundi and the impact of their evolution on the course of that pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study using positive SARS-COV-2 samples for genomic sequencing. Subsequently, we performed statistical and bioinformatics analyses of the genome sequences in light of available metadata. RESULTS: In total, we documented 27 PANGO lineages of which BA.1, B.1.617.2, AY.46, AY.122, and BA.1.1, all VOCs, accounted for 83.15% of all the genomes isolated in Burundi from May 2021 to January 2022. Delta (B.1.617.2) and its descendants predominated the peak observed in July-October 2021. It replaced the previously predominant B.1.351 lineage. It was itself subsequently replaced by Omicron (B.1.1.529, BA.1, and BA.1.1). Furthermore, we identified amino acid mutations including E484K, D614G, and L452R known to increase infectivity and immune escape in the spike proteins of Delta and Omicron variants isolated in Burundi. The SARS-COV-2 genomes from imported and community-detected cases were genetically closely related. CONCLUSION: The global emergence of SARS-COV-2 VOCs and their subsequent introductions in Burundi was accompanied by new peaks (waves) of COVID-19. The relaxation of travel restrictions and the mutations occurring in the virus genome played an important role in the introduction and the spread of new SARS-COV-2 variants in the country. It is of utmost importance to strengthen the genomic surveillance of SARS-COV-2, enhance the protection by increasing the SARS-COV-2 vaccine coverage, and adjust the public health and social measures ahead of the emergence or introduction of new SARS-COV-2 VOCs in the country.

The East African Community mobile laboratory network prepares for monkeypox outbreaks.

In response to the largest recorded monkeypox virus outbreak outside of endemic Central and Western Africa, the East African Community (EAC), in cooperation with the Bernhard-Nocht- Institute for Tropical Medicine, coordinated an emergency monkeypox diagnostic training for the East African Region. As of June 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo reported a steady increase of suspected monkeypox cases, increasing the risk of spill-over into the remaining six EAC Partner States. Within the existing EAC Mobile Laboratories project, laboratory experts of the National Public Health Laboratories of the remaining six EAC Partner States (Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan) participated in the workshop and were trained in the reception of suspect samples, DNA extraction and diagnosis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The EAC region is now equipped with the tools to prepare and rapidly respond to any emerging monkeypox outbreak.