But recent studies in Mozambique have found antibodies to the virus – proteins the body produces during infection – in 5% of households in Nampula city and 2.5% in Pemba city. This while Mozambique has only 2,481 confirmed cases of the virus. Other studies are underway in the capital Maputo and in the city of Quelimane.
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“What’s important is that far fewer people are suffering from the disease,” John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, told reporters. “How many people are infected and asymptomatic on our continent? We don’t know that. ”
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The young African population, averaging 19 years old, was mentioned as a possible factor.
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The new continent-wide antibody study will include all African countries, but those showing an interest in starting in the coming weeks are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria and Morocco, Nkengasong said.
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The African continent passed the milestone of one million confirmed cases last week, while global health experts told The Associated Press that the actual number is estimated to be several times over. Over 24,000 deaths have been confirmed and the death rate is 2.2%.
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Mozambican antibody investigations have revealed the virus in all neighborhoods of Nampula and Pemba, National Institute of Health director Ilesh Jani told reporters.
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The groups most exposed to the virus were market vendors with 10%, followed by health workers between 5.5% and 7%, police between 3.7% and 6%, and store and other employees. between 5% and 5.5%. .
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“We don’t know why there are no more hospitalizations,” Jani said. “In Nampula, we thought we were going to see more deaths,” but the death toll has not increased.
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He wonders if the low death rate will continue or if the disease “will get more aggressive”.
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In a separate survey, researchers in Kenya who have tested more than 3,000 blood donors said that one in 20 people may have antibodies to the virus. The country has more than 28,000 confirmed cases.
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But the Africa CDC director warned: “Sampling was not very systematic sampling and we have to interpret it carefully. “
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Nkengasong also said the Africa CDC had not been in contact with Russia over the reported COVID-19 vaccine announced this week. African health authorities want to ensure that any viral intervention they pursue is “backed by good science,” he said, adding that “we are open to all partnerships.”
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Follow AP Pandemic Coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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