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High SARS-CoV-2 incidence and asymptomatic fraction during Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves in The Gambia

Author

Listed:
  • Sheikh Jarju

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Rhys D. Wenlock

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Madikoi Danso

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Dawda Jobe

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Ya Jankey Jagne

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Alansana Darboe

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Michelle Kumado

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Yusupha Jallow

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Mamlie Touray

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Ebrima A. Ceesay

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Hoja Gaye

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Biran Gaye

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Abdoulie Tunkara

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Sheriff Kandeh

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Marie Gomes

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Ellen Lena Sylva

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Fatoumata Toure

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Hailey Hornsby

    (The University of Sheffield
    The University of Sheffield)

  • Benjamin B. Lindsey

    (The University of Sheffield
    The University of Sheffield)

  • Martin J. Nicklin

    (The University of Sheffield
    The University of Sheffield)

  • Jon R. Sayers

    (The University of Sheffield
    The University of Sheffield)

  • Abdul K. Sesay

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Adam Kucharski

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • David Hodgson

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Beate Kampmann

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
    Charité Universitätsmedizin)

  • Thushan I. Silva

    (Medical Research Council The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
    The University of Sheffield
    The University of Sheffield)

Abstract

Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in African countries with high levels of infection-driven immunity and low vaccine coverage. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 349 participants from 52 households in The Gambia between March 2021 and June 2022, with routine weekly SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and 6-monthly SARS-CoV-2 serology. Attack rates of 45% and 57% were seen during Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves respectively. Eighty-four percent of RT-PCR-positive infections were asymptomatic. Children under 5-years had a lower incidence of infection than 18-49-year-olds. One prior SARS-CoV-2 infection reduced infection risk during the Delta wave only, with immunity from ≥2 prior infections required to reduce the risk of infection with early Omicron lineage viruses. In an African population with high levels of infection-driven immunity and low vaccine coverage, we find high attack rates during SARS-CoV-2 waves, with a high proportion of asymptomatic infections and young children remaining relatively protected from infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheikh Jarju & Rhys D. Wenlock & Madikoi Danso & Dawda Jobe & Ya Jankey Jagne & Alansana Darboe & Michelle Kumado & Yusupha Jallow & Mamlie Touray & Ebrima A. Ceesay & Hoja Gaye & Biran Gaye & Abdouli, 2024. "High SARS-CoV-2 incidence and asymptomatic fraction during Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves in The Gambia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48098-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48098-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaiyuan Sun & Stefano Tempia & Jackie Kleynhans & Anne Gottberg & Meredith L. McMorrow & Nicole Wolter & Jinal N. Bhiman & Jocelyn Moyes & Maimuna Carrim & Neil A. Martinson & Kathleen Kahn & Limakats, 2023. "Rapidly shifting immunologic landscape and severity of SARS-CoV-2 in the Omicron era in South Africa," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Danillo G. Augusto & Lawton D. Murdolo & Demetra S. M. Chatzileontiadou & Joseph J. Sabatino & Tasneem Yusufali & Noah D. Peyser & Xochitl Butcher & Kerry Kizer & Karoline Guthrie & Victoria W. Murray, 2023. "A common allele of HLA is associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection," Nature, Nature, vol. 620(7972), pages 128-136, August.
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