Molecular identification of (Diptera: Culicidae) using internal transcribed spacer 2.

Background: is a widespread mosquito species in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a potential vector for human malaria parasites and has been found naturally infected with and . Morphological identification is challenging even with pristine specimens and current molecular methods such as the use of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cannot distinguish from morphologically similar .

High measles and rubella vaccine coverage and seroprevalence among Zambian children participating in a measles and rubella supplementary immunization activity.

Post-campaign coverage surveys estimate the proportion of previously unvaccinated children vaccinated during supplementary immunization activities (SIA) but cannot address whether susceptible children seronegative to measles and rubella viruses were vaccinated during the SIA. We conducted a cross-sectional serosurvey nested within the November 2020 measles-rubella SIA in Zambia, systematically sampling children aged 9 months to 5 years at 30 SIA sites in Choma and Ndola Districts. A questionnaire administered to caregivers collected the child's demographic information and vaccination history.

Comparing and integrating human mobility data sources for measles transmission modeling in Zambia.

Quantifying population mobility is crucial in developing accurate models of infectious disease dynamics. Increasingly, multiple data sources are available to describe individual and population mobility in a single location; however, there are no methods to systematically integrate these data. Combining information from these data sets may be valuable and help mitigate inherent biases in each data set due to sampling, censoring, and recall.

Emergence and Rising Prevalence of Artemisinin Partial Resistance Marker Kelch13 P441L in a Low Malaria Transmission Setting in Southern Zambia.

Increasing artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R) due to mutations in the gene encoding Kelch13 (Pfk13) protein in eastern Africa is of urgent concern, and mutations, such as Pfk13 P441L, continue to emerge. We used an amplicon deep-sequencing panel to estimate the prevalence of validated and candidate ART-R Pfk13 mutations in samples collected between 2018 and 2023 in southern Zambia. Pfk13 P441L was present in 30 of 501 samples (6%), and prevalence increased over time (0% to 7.

Respiratory pathogens detected in specimens collected for COVID-19 surveillance in Zambia.

Background: In Zambia, knowledge on the landscape of respiratory pathogens that circulated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is limited.

Aim: This study investigated respiratory pathogens that circulated in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setting: Nasopharyngeal specimens collected between July 2020 and July 2021 for COVID-19 testing in hospitals, ports of entry, persons seeking certificates for international travel and in communities were used.

A Comprehensive Review: Biology of , an Understudied Malaria Vector in Africa.

With ongoing global efforts to eliminate malaria, several countries have entered a pre-elimination stage, in which populations of the primary mosquito vector are reduced and the rates of malaria transmission are low. Efforts to eliminate malaria have changed the dynamics of disease transmission, causing a shift in anopheline community composition in some regions. One of the most abundant species of found in pre-elimination areas, such as southern Africa, is (Theobald, 1901; Diptera: Culicidae).

Implementation outcomes of 1-3-7 focus investigation for malaria in a low transmission setting in Southern Province, Zambia: A mixed methods study.

Eleven countries have been certified as malaria free since 2016, but none of these are in subSaharan Africa where elimination challenges are unique. The 1-3-7 focus investigation approach is an implementation strategy that requires case reporting, case investigation/classification, and focal classification/response to be completed one, three, and seven days, respectively, after index case diagnosis. Real-time short-messaging-service reports are sent at each step to add accountability and data transparency.

Emergence and Rising Prevalence of Artemisinin Partial Resistance Marker Kelch13 P441L in a Low Malaria Transmission Setting in Southern Zambia.

Increasing artemisinin partial resistance (ArtR) due to mutations in the gene encoding Kelch13 () protein in eastern Africa is of urgent concern, and mutations, such as P441L, continue to emerge. We used an amplicon deep-sequencing panel to estimate the prevalence of ArtR mutations in samples collected between 2018 and 2023 in southern Zambia. P441L was present in 30 of 501 samples (6%), and prevalence increased over time (0% to 7.

Evidence of multiple bacterial, viral, and parasitic infectious disease agents in rodents in riverine areas in selected parts of Zambia.

Background: Infectious disease agents pose significant threats to humans, wildlife, and livestock, with rodents carrying a third of these agents, many linked to human diseases. However, the range of pathogens in rodents and the hotspots for disease remain poorly understood.

Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens in rodents in riverine and non-riverine areas in selected districts in Zambia.

First identification and whole genome characterization of rotavirus C in pigs in Zambia.

Rotavirus C (RVC) causes acute gastroenteritis in neonatal piglets. Despite the clinical importance of RVC infection, the distribution and prevalence in pig populations in most African countries remains unknown. In this study, we identified RVC in Zambian pigs by metagenomic analysis.

African lineage 1a West Nile virus isolated from crocodiles exhibits low neuroinvasiveness in mice.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes encephalitis in humans and infects crocodiles, resulting in rashes and neurological signs. In Zambia, two distinct lineages of WNV have been detected in neighbouring areas: lineage 2 in mosquitoes and lineage 1a in farmed crocodiles. Considering the risk of direct or vector-mediated WNV transmission from crocodiles to mammals, it is necessary to elucidate the pathogenicity of WNV strains derived from crocodiles.

A first report of rotavirus B from Zambian pigs leading to the discovery of a novel VP4 genotype P[9].

Background: Rotavirus B (RVB) causes diarrhea in humans and pigs. Although various RVB strains were identified in humans and various animals globally, little is known about the epidemiology RVB infection in Africa. In this study, we attempted to examine the prevalence of RVB infection in pig populations in Zambia.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of in ticks collected from leopard tortoise () in rural Zambia.

In sub-Saharan Africa, limited studies have investigated zoonotic pathogens that may be harboured by ticks infesting reptiles such as tortoises. Here, we report the presence of pathogenic in ticks () collected from the leopard tortoise () in rural Zambia. Using polymerase chain reaction, 56% (49/87) of ticks were positive for the outer membrane protein () gene.

Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Zambia: An Early Warning Tool.

Wastewater-based surveillance has emerged as an important method for monitoring the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Zambia. We conducted a longitudinal study in the Copperbelt and Eastern provinces of Zambia from October 2023 to December 2023 during which 155 wastewater samples were collected.

Adjusting mobile phone data to account for children's travel and the impact on measles dynamics in Zambia.

Models of measles transmission can be used to identify areas of high risk to tailor immunization strategies. Estimates of spatial connectivity can be derived from data such as mobile phone records, but it is not clear how this maps to the movement of children who are more likely to be infected. Using travel surveys across 2 districts in Zambia and national mobile phone data, we compared estimates of out-of-district travel for the population captured in the mobile phone data and child-specific travel from travel surveys.

Entomological effects of attractive targeted sugar bait station deployment in Western Zambia: vector surveillance findings from a two-arm cluster randomized phase III trial.

Background: Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) stations are a novel tool with potential to complement current approaches to malaria vector control. To assess the public health value of ATSB station deployment in areas of high coverage with standard vector control, a two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) of Sarabi ATSB® stations (Westham Ltd., Hod-Hasharon, Israel) was conducted in Western Province, Zambia, a high-burden location were Anopheles funestus is the dominant vector.

Feasibility and acceptability of collecting dried blood spots (DBS) from children after vaccination during supplementary immunization activities to estimate measles and rubella seroprevalence.

Nested serosurveys within routine service delivery platforms such as planned supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) provide an opportunity to collect information that can be used to answer valuable questions on the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery model to inform future activities. However, integrating research data collection in SIAs is rarely done due to concerns it will negatively impact the program. We conducted a serosurvey nested within the November 2020 measles-rubella SIA integrated with the Child Health Week activities in Zambia to evaluate this approach.

Residual bioefficacy of attractive targeted sugar bait stations targeting malaria vectors during seasonal deployment in Western Province of Zambia.

Background: The primary vector control interventions in Zambia are long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. Challenges with these interventions include insecticide resistance and the outdoor biting and resting behaviours of many Anopheles mosquitoes. Therefore, new vector control tools targeting additional mosquito behaviours are needed to interrupt transmission.

Characteristics of the Western Province, Zambia, trial site for evaluation of attractive targeted sugar baits for malaria vector control.

Background: The attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) is a novel malaria vector control tool designed to attract and kill mosquitoes using a sugar-based bait, laced with oral toxicant. Western Province, Zambia, was one of three countries selected for a series of phase III cluster randomized controlled trials of the Westham ATSB Sarabi version 1.2.