The Institut Pasteur de Bangui is conducting a study on the "Viral etiology and clinical aspects of Hand-foot-and-mouth-desease" at the Bangui Pediatric Complex, the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Maman Elisabeth Domitien and the Saint Joseph Health Centre.

Hand-foot-and-mouth-desease (HFMD) infection is a viral disease that mainly affects children under 10 years of age, but also adults. It is transmitted by fecal-oral route or direct contact between infected children. It is characterized by fever, blistering rashes in the mouth, palm of hands, soles of feet and buttocks. To date, there is no specific treatment for this disease. Severe forms result in cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological damage and can lead to death.

In Africa, knowledge remains limited on the epidemiological profile of foot, hand and mouth disease (HFMD). The incidence of MPMB is not recorded in integrated disease surveillance systems or in notifiable diseases. No specific studies have been carried out so far, the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition is completely unknown.

However, the circulation of non-polio enteroviruses causing foot, hand and mouth syndrome has been reported in cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP).

The research project on "Viral etiology and clinical aspects of Hand-foot-and-mouth-desease in Senegal and the Central African Republic" aims to study the diversity of enteroviruses associated with HFMD as well as their evolution in Senegal and the Central African Republic. This project is funded by the Institut Pasteur in Paris, through the Programme d'Action Concertées Inter Pasteuriennes (ACIP).

Following the launch of the project in Bangui, Dr Ionela Gouandjika, scientific coordinator of the project and Mr Arthur Mazitchi, principal investigator of the project in Bangui, visited the sites that will participate in the study and met all the teams in the various hospitals. Thus, it was the opportunity to visit the Bangui Pediatric Complex, the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Maman Elisabeth Domitien and the Saint Joseph Health Centre where inclusions and samples will be taken before being sent to the Institut Pasteur de Bangui. On this occasion, they organised meetings to prepare for the launch of the inclusions with all the staff involved, invited to discuss and resolve the remaining questions.

This article was first published by the Institut Pasteur de Bangui and translated in English by Afriscitech.com.