#Nipah virus #dynamics in #bats and implications for #spillover to #humans (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, abstract)

[Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Nipah virus dynamics in bats and implications for spillover to humans

Jonathan H. Epstein, Simon J. Anthony,   Ariful Islam, A. Marm Kilpatrick, Shahneaz Ali Khan, Maria D. Balkey, Noam Ross,   Ina Smith,   Carlos Zambrana-Torrelio,   Yun Tao,   Ausraful Islam,   Phenix Lan Quan,   Kevin J. Olival,   M. Salah Uddin Khan, Emily S. Gurley, M. Jahangir Hossein,   Hume E. Field, Mark D. Fielder, Thomas Briese, Mahmudur Rahman,   Christopher C. Broder, Gary Crameri,   Lin-Fa Wang,   Stephen P. Luby,   W. Ian Lipkin, and   Peter Daszak

PNAS first published November 2, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000429117

Edited by Anthony S. Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, and approved September 14, 2020 (received for review January 8, 2020)

Significance

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus and World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogen that causes near-annual outbreaks in Bangladesh and India with >75% mortality. This work advances our understanding of transmission of NiV in its natural bat reservoir by analyzing data from a 6-y multidisciplinary study of serology, viral phylogenetics, bat ecology, and immunology. We show that outbreaks in Pteropus bats are driven by increased population density, loss of immunity over time, and viral recrudescence, resulting in multiyear interepizootic periods. Incidence is low, but bats carry NiV across Bangladesh and can shed virus at any time of year, highlighting the importance of routes of transmission to the timing and location of human NiV outbreaks.

Abstract

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging bat-borne zoonotic virus that causes near-annual outbreaks of fatal encephalitis in South Asia—one of the most populous regions on Earth. In Bangladesh, infection occurs when people drink date-palm sap contaminated with bat excreta. Outbreaks are sporadic, and the influence of viral dynamics in bats on their temporal and spatial distribution is poorly understood. We analyzed data on host ecology, molecular epidemiology, serological dynamics, and viral genetics to characterize spatiotemporal patterns of NiV dynamics in its wildlife reservoir, Pteropus medius bats, in Bangladesh. We found that NiV transmission occurred throughout the country and throughout the year. Model results indicated that local transmission dynamics were modulated by density-dependent transmission, acquired immunity that is lost over time, and recrudescence. Increased transmission followed multiyear periods of declining seroprevalence due to bat-population turnover and individual loss of humoral immunity. Individual bats had smaller host ranges than other Pteropus species (spp.), although movement data and the discovery of a Malaysia-clade NiV strain in eastern Bangladesh suggest connectivity with bats east of Bangladesh. These data suggest that discrete multiannual local epizootics in bat populations contribute to the sporadic nature of NiV outbreaks in South Asia. At the same time, the broad spatial and temporal extent of NiV transmission, including the recent outbreak in Kerala, India, highlights the continued risk of spillover to humans wherever they may interact with pteropid bats and the importance of limiting opportunities for spillover throughout Pteropus’s range.

bats – henipavirus – Nipah virus – Pteropus – disease modeling

Footnotes

1 To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: epstein@ecohealthalliance.org.

2 Present address: Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616.

Author contributions: J.H.E., A.M.K., E.S.G., H.E.F., T.B., G.C., S.P.L., W.I.L., and P.D. designed research; J.H.E., S.J.A., Ariful Islam, S.A.K., M.D.B., I.S., Ausraful Islam, P.L.Q., M.S.U.K., G.C., and L.-F.W. performed research; N.R., T.B., C.C.B., G.C., L.-F.W., and W.I.L. contributed new reagents/analytic tools; J.H.E., S.J.A., A.M.K., N.R., I.S., C.Z.-T., Y.T., P.L.Q., K.J.O., H.E.F., T.B., C.C.B., G.C., and L.-F.W. analyzed data; and J.H.E., S.J.A., Ariful Islam, A.M.K., N.R., I.S., C.Z.-T., Y.T., K.J.O., E.S.G., M.J.H., H.E.F., M.D.F., T.B., M.R., C.C.B., G.C., L.-F.W., S.P.L., W.I.L., and P.D. wrote the paper.

The authors declare no competing interest.

This article is a PNAS Direct Submission.

This article contains supporting information online at https://www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1073/pnas.2000429117/-/DCSupplemental.

Data Availability. All molecular sequences are available via GenBank (GenBank accession nos. MK995284–MK995302). The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on request.

Copyright © 2020 the Author(s). Published by PNAS. This open access article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND).

–

Keywords: Henipavirus; Nipah Virus; Bats; Wildlife; Bangladesh.

——

#Physical #inactivity and #sedentary #behaviors in the #Bangladeshi #population during the #COVID19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey (Heliyon, abstract)

[Source: Heliyon, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors in the Bangladeshi population during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey

Md. Estiar Rahman, Md. Saiful Islam, Md. Sajan Bishwas, Mst. Sabrina Moonajilin, David Gozal

Open Access | Published: October 30, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05392

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among Bangladeshi people. An online survey was conducted among 2,028 people over a period of 10 days on June, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time that the number of newly diagnosed cases was increasing, lockdown was still in place. Survey questions included socio-demographics and an adapted version of the IPAQ-SF to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors. The prevalence rates of physical inactivity (<600 MET–minutes/week) and high sedentary behaviors (≥8 h/day) among Bangladeshi people were 37.9% and 20.9%, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that young age, being a student, from a middle-class family, or upper-class family, living with nuclear family, urban living, and suffering from no chronic diseases were all associated with physical inactivity and high sedentary behaviors. Moreover, physical inactivity and high sedentary behavior were strongly interrelated. However, many of the univariate risk factors exhibited interdependency. During the COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with lockdown measures a sizeable proportion of Bangladeshi people were physically inactive and reported sedentary behaviors ≥8 h/day. Public campaigns and media-based interventions encouraging home-based physical activities should be promoted to attenuate the impact of lockdown measures during a pandemic.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Bangladesh; Society.

——

#Prevalence and #risk #factors of #COVID19 #suicidal #behavior in #Bangladeshi population: are #healthcare professionals at greater risk? (Heliyon, abstract)

[Source: Heliyon, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Prevalence and risk factors of COVID-19 suicidal behavior in Bangladeshi population: are healthcare professionals at greater risk?

Mohammed A. Mamun, Tahmina Akter, Fatematuz Zohra, Najmuj Sakib, A.K.M. Israfil Bhuiyan, Palash Chandra Banik, Mohammad Muhit

Open Access | Published: October 14, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05259

Abstract

Background

Current COVID-19 researches suggest that both general population and health-care providers (HCPs) are at risk of elevated psychological sufferings including suicidality. However, suicidality has not been addressed properly, although mental health problems are studied globally. Besides, the extreme fear of COVID-19 infection is being existed among the Bangladeshi HCPs, that is reported by a recent patients’ suicide because of HCPs treatment negligence.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional study was administered through the social media platforms. A total 3,388 respondents took part in the survey (mean age 30.1 ± 6.4 years) among them 834 were frontline HCPs (30.7 ± 5.6 years). The measures included socio-demographics, PPE-related and patient-care related information and a question concerned with the COVID-19 suicidal behavior.

Results

About 6.1% of the total participants had suicidal behavior, with no detectable differences within the groups (i.e., general population and HCPs). Regression analysis showed that being female, being divorced, and having no child were emerged as independent predictors for suicidality. There was no significant association between the PPE-related or patient-care related variables and suicidal behavior of the HCPs. Majority of the participants sometimes had fear of death although no significant relation of the factor was found with suicidality.

Limitations

The study can be limited because of its nature (i.e., cross-sectional self-reporting online survey) and not considering non-COVID-19 related suicide risk factors etc.

Conclusions

The present findings identified the substantial proportion of the HCPs and general population had COVID 19 related suicidal behavior. It can be used to advocate a large-scale suicide safety plan using a multidisciplinary approach herein.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Psychiatry; HCWs; Bangladesh.

——

#Knowledge, attitudes and #practices associated with the #COVID19 among #slum #dwellers resided in #Dhaka City: a #Bangladeshi interview-based survey (J Pub Health, abstract)

[Source: Journal of Public Health, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with the COVID-19 among slum dwellers resided in Dhaka City: a Bangladeshi interview-based survey

Saiful Islam, Galib Ishraq Emran, Estiar Rahman, Rajon Banik, Tajuddin Sikder, Lee Smith, Sahadat Hossain

Journal of Public Health, fdaa182, https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa182

Published: 15 October 2020

Abstract

Background

The emergent COVID-19 has impacted unprecedentedly to all classes of people. Slum-dwellers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 are currently poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the KAP toward COVID-19 among slum dwellers resided in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional offline survey was carried out enrolling 406 slum dwellers (53.2% male; mean age = 44.9 years [SD = 12.1]; age range = 18–85 years) between August and September, 2020. The face to face interview was conducted to collect data from six selected slum areas in Dhaka City using convenience sampling. The questionnaire consisted of informed consent along with questions concerning observational checklists, socio-demographics and KAP.

Results

A sizeable minority were observed without wearing face masks during the survey periods (18.2%) and a vast portion (97.5%) without any hand protection. The mean scores of KAP were 6.1 ± 2.6 (out of 17), 12.3 ± 1.7 (out of 14) and 9.8 ± 1.6 (out of 12), respectively. Moreover, the KAP were strongly and positively correlated with each other.

Conclusions

The findings revealed that the majority of slum dwellers in Bangladesh have limited knowledge of COVID-19. Poor practices (i.e. face mask and hand protection) were directly observed during the survey. The findings suggest the immediate implementation of health education programs and adequate interventions.

attitudes, Bangladesh, knowledge, practices, slum dwellers

Issue Section: Original Article

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Society; Bangladesh; Public Health.

——

#Psychological #states of #Bangladeshi people four months after the #COVID19 pandemic: An online survey (Helyion, abstract)

[Source: Helyion, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Psychological states of Bangladeshi people four months after the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey

Abdullah Al Zubayer, Md. Estiar Rahman, Md. Bulbul Islam, Sritha Zith Dey Babu, Quazi Maksudur Rahman, Md. Rifat Al Mazid Bhuiyan, Md. Kamrul Ahsan Khan, Md Ashraf Uddin Chowdhury, Liakat Hossain, Rahat Bin Habib

Open Access | Published: September 28, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05057

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic essentially imposes psychological effects on people. As the pandemic progresses, people experience psychological trauma gradually, which can change over time. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Bangladeshi people four months after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Bangladeshi citizens aged ≥18 years from June 1 to June 10, 2020. The participants completed an online questionnaire examining socio-demographic variables and COVID-19 related factors, along with the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21. A total of 1146 respondents have been included in the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, IBM Statistics version 22.0.

Results

The prevalence of moderate to the extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress was 47.2%, 46.0%, and 32.5%, respectively, with no significant gender differences. The prevalence of anxiety and stress was significantly higher in participants aged >30 than in participants aged 18–30 years. Daily follow up COVID-19 related news, having COVID-19 symptoms so far, having contact (direct or indirect) with COVID-19 infected person, and fear of infection were significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusions

Sizable proportions of participants had depression, anxiety and stress four months after the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. The findings of this study underscores the need for strategies aimed at reducing these psychological sufferings in Bangladeshi people in the context of COVID-19.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Psychology; Psychiatry; Bangladesh.

—–

Immediate #impact of stay-at-home #orders to #control #COVID19 #transmission on socioeconomic #conditions, #food #insecurity, mental health, and intimate partner #violence in #Bangladeshi #women and their families: an interrupted time series (Lancet Glob Health, abstract)

[Source: Lancet Global Health, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Immediate impact of stay-at-home orders to control COVID-19 transmission on socioeconomic conditions, food insecurity, mental health, and intimate partner violence in Bangladeshi women and their families: an interrupted time series

Jena Derakhshani Hamadani, PhD, Mohammed Imrul Hasan, MPH, Andrew J Baldi, MBBS, Sheikh Jamal Hossain, MPH, Shamima Shiraji, MSc, Mohammad Saiful Alam Bhuiyan, MBBS, Syeda Fardina Mehrin, MSc, Prof Jane Fisher, PhD, Fahmida Tofail, PhD, S M Mulk Uddin Tipu, MBA, Prof Sally Grantham-McGregor, FRCP, Prof Beverley-Ann Biggs, PhD, Sabine Braat, MSc, Sant-Rayn Pasricha, PhD

Open Access | Published: August 25, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30366-1

Summary

Background

Stay-at-home orders (lockdowns) have been deployed globally to control COVID-19 transmission, and might impair economic conditions and mental health, and exacerbate risk of food insecurity and intimate partner violence. The effect of lockdowns in low-income and middle-income countries must be understood to ensure safe deployment of these interventions in less affluent settings. We aimed to determine the immediate impact of COVID-19 lockdown orders on women and their families in rural Bangladesh.

Methods

An interrupted time series was used to compare data collected from families in Rupganj upazila, rural Bangladesh (randomly selected from participants in a randomised controlled trial), on income, food security, and mental health a median of 1 year and 2 years before the COVID-19 pandemic to data collected during the lockdown. We also assessed women’s experiences of intimate partner violence during the pandemic.

Results

Between May 19 and June 18, 2020, we randomly selected and invited the mothers of 3016 children to participate in the study, 2424 of whom provided consent. 2414 (99·9%, 95% CI 99·6–99·9) of 2417 mothers were aware of, and adhering to, the stay-at-home advice. 2321 (96·0%, 95·2–96·7) of 2417 mothers reported a reduction in paid work for the family. Median monthly family income fell from US$212 at baseline to $59 during lockdown, and the proportion of families earning less than $1·90 per day rose from five (0·2%, 0·0–0·5) of 2422 to 992 (47·3%, 45·2–49·5) of 2096 (p<0·0001 comparing baseline with lockdown period). Before the pandemic, 136 (5·6%, 4·7–6·6) of 2420 and 65 (2·7%, 2·1–3·4) of 2420 families experienced moderate and severe food insecurity, respectively. This increased to 881 (36·5%, 34·5–38·4) of 2417 and 371 (15·3%, 13·9–16·8) of 2417 during the lockdown; the number of families experiencing any level of food insecurity increased by 51·7% (48·1–55·4; p<0·0001). Mothers’ depression and anxiety symptoms increased during the lockdown. Among women experiencing emotional or moderate physical violence, over half reported it had increased since the lockdown.

Interpretation

COVID-19 lockdowns present significant economic, psychosocial, and physical risks to the wellbeing of women and their families across economic strata in rural Bangladesh. Beyond supporting only the most socioeconomically deprived, support is needed for all affected families.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Society; Poverty; Bangladesh.

—–

Coding-Complete #Genome #Sequence of #SARS-CoV-2 Isolate from #Bangladesh by #Sanger Sequencing (Microbiol Res Announc., abstract)

[Source: Microbiology Resource Announcements, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Coding-Complete Genome Sequence of SARS-CoV-2 Isolate from Bangladesh by Sanger Sequencing

M. Moniruzzaman, Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, M. Nazrul Islam, M. Hadisur Rahman, Irfan Ahmed, Tahia Anan Rahman, Arittra Bhattacharjee, M. Ruhul Amin, Asif Rashed, Chaman Ara Keya, Keshob Chandra Das, M. Salimullah

John J. Dennehy, Editor

DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00626-20

 

ABSTRACT

A coding-complete genome sequence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) isolate was revealed. The sample for the virus was isolated from a female patient from Dhaka, Bangladesh, suffering from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Bangladesh.

——

Complete #Genome #Sequence of a Novel #Coronavirus (#SARS-CoV-2) Isolate from #Bangladesh (Microbiol Res Announc., abstract)

[Source: Microbiology Resource Announcements, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Isolate from Bangladesh

Senjuti Saha, Roly Malaker, Mohammad Saiful Islam Sajib, Md Hasanuzzaman, Hafizur Rahman, Zabed B. Ahmed, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Maksuda Islam, Yogesh Hooda, Vida Ahyong, Manu Vanaerschot, Joshua Batson, Samantha Hao, Jack Kamm, Amy Kistler, Cristina M. Tato, Joseph L. DeRisi, Samir K. Saha

Simon Roux, Editor

DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00568-20

 

ABSTRACT

The complete genome sequence of a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) isolate obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab from a patient with COVID-19 in Bangladesh is reported.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Genetics; Bangladesh.

——

#Challenges to the #prevention of #COVID19 spread in #slums of #Bangladesh (J Pub Health, summary)

[Source: Journal of Public Health, full page: (LINK). Summary, edited.]

Challenges to the prevention of COVID-19 spread in slums of Bangladesh

Taslima Islam, Md Golam Kibria

Journal of Public Health, fdaa088, https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa088

Published: 12 June 2020

Issue Section: Correspondence

___

Bangladesh is a lower-middle income country in South Asia with a population estimated at ~160 million. The country has been facing rapid urbanization over the past few decades. More than one-third of the population lives in urban areas in Bangladesh.1 Of the total urban population, ~55% live in slums.2 These slum dwellers live a life without basic amenities.

(…)

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Poverty; Society; Bangladesh.

—–

#COVID19 pandemic, #socioeconomic #crisis and #human #stress in resource-limited settings: A case from #Bangladesh (Heliyon, abstract)

[Source: Heliyon, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]

COVID-19 pandemic, socioeconomic crisis and human stress in resource-limited settings: A case from Bangladesh

Mashura Shammi, Md. Bodrud-Doza, Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam, Md. Mostafizur Rahman

Open Access | Published: May 22, 2020 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04063

 

Abstract

Considering the population density, healthcare capacity, limited resources and existing poverty, environmental factors, social structure, cultural norms, and already more than 18,863 people infected, the community transmission of COVID-19 is happening fast. These exacerbated a complex fear among the public. The aim of this article is, therefore, to understand the public perception of socioeconomic crisis and human stress in resource-limited settings of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The sample comprised of 1066 Bangladeshi participants. Principal component analysis (PCA) was considered to design a standardized scale to measure the mental stress and socioeconomic crisis, one-way ANOVA and t-test were conducted to perceive different demographic risk groups; multiple linear regression was applied to estimate the statistically significant association between each component, and classical test theory (CTT) analysis was applied to examine the reliability of each item according to the components to develop a composite score.

Without safeguarding the fundamental needs for the vulnerable ultra-poor group can undeniably cause the socioeconomic crisis and mental stress due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It has further created unemployment, deprivation, hunger, and social conflicts. The weak governance in the fragile healthcare system exacerbates the general public’s anxiety as the COVID-19 testing facilities are centered around in the urban areas, a long serial to be tested, minimum or no treatment facilities in the dedicated hospital units for COVID-19 patients are the chief observations hampered along with the disruption of other critical healthcare services. One-way ANOVA and t-test confirmed food and nutritional deficiency among the vulnerable poorest section due to loss of livelihood. Also, different emergency service provider professions such as doctors, healthcare staff, police forces, volunteer organizations at the frontline, and bankers are at higher risk of infection and subsequently mentally stressed. Proper risk assessment of the pandemic and dependable risk communications to risk groups, multi-sectoral management taskforce development, transparency, and good governance with inter-ministerial coordination is required along with strengthening healthcare capacity was suggested to reduce mental and social stress causing a socioeconomic crisis of COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, relief for the low-income population, proper biomedical waste management through incineration, and preparation for the possible natural disasters such as flood, cyclones, and another infectious disease such as dengue was suggested. Finally, this assessment process could help the government and policymakers to judge the public perceptions to deal with COVID-19 pandemic in densely populated lower-middle-income and limited-resource countries like Bangladesh.

–

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Society; Poverty; Bangladesh.

——