Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have significant public health policy implications since they shed light on the severity of illness in various groups and aid in strategic deployment of diagnostics, treatment and vaccination. Population-based investigations have not been conducted in Ghana to identify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an age stratified nationally representative household study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and identify risk factors between February and December 2021. Study participants, 5 years and older regardless of prior or current infection COVID-19 infection from across Ghana were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, contact with an individual with COVID-19-related symptoms, history of COVID-19-related illness, and adherence to infection prevention measures were collected. Serum obtained was tested for total antibodies with the WANTAI ELISA kit. The presence of antibodies against SAR-COV-2 was detected in 3,476 of 5,348 participants, indicating a seroprevalence of 67.10% (95% CI: 63.71–66.26). Males had lower seroprevalence (65.8% [95% CI: 63.5–68.04]) than females (68.4% [95% CI: 66.10–69.92]). Seroprevalence was lowest in >20 years (64.8% [95% CI: 62.36–67.19]) and highest among young adults; 20–39 years (71.1% [95% CI 68.83,73.39]). Seropositivity was associated with education, employment status and geographic location. Vaccination status in the study population was 10%. Exposure is more likely in urban than rural areas thus infection prevention protocols must be encouraged and maintained. Also, promoting vaccination in target groups and in rural areas is necessary to curb transmission of the virus.

Background: Microsporidia MB disrupts Plasmodium development in Anopheles mosquitoes, making it a possible biocontrol tool for malaria. As a tool for vector/disease control, its ecological distribution and the factors that determine their occurrence must be defined. We investigated the frequency of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles mosquitoes across selected sites in northern and southern Ghana, as well as the physicochemical parameters of mosquito breeding water that are associated with the occurrence of the fungus, by fitting regression models. Methods: A non-column extraction method was used to extract DNA from the abdomens of 4255 adult Anopheles mosquitoes that emerged from larvae and pupae collected between August and October of 2021 and 2022. Detection of Microsporidia MB was achieved using quantitative PCR (qPCR), while mosquito species were molecularly identified using short interspersed nuclear elements (SINE), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods, and the ANOSPP algorithm. Results: Overall Microsporidia MB distribution was 2.2% (92/4255). Male mosquitoes exhibited a higher frequency of infections and had a predicted probability of infection that was 85% higher than that of females. Sites in Ghana's Savannah zone had the highest Microsporidia MB distribution (68.5%). Biochemical oxygen demand in mosquito breeding water was estimated to be positively associated with and significantly predicts Microsporidia MB in mosquitoes with an accuracy of 94%. Increasing ammonium ion concentrations reduced the chances of finding Microsporidia MB-positive mosquitoes. According to our data, all Anopheles mosquitoes, including minor species such as An. squamosus, An. pretoriensis and An. rufipes, had equal probability of Microsporidia MB infection. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary information on micro-ecological factors that potentially support the sustainability of Microsporidia MB infection in mosquitoes during their aquatic life stages. It will be important, therefore, to explore the impact of strategies for larval source management on these factors to ensure that the symbiont's persistence during the host's aquatic stages may not be adversely affected should it be used as an integrated approach for mosquito/disease control. Graphical

Infections with SARS-CoV-2 and the development of immunity to the virus and its antigenic variants have been unevenly documented globally, with African populations particularly understudied. As SARS-CoV-2 transitions toward being an endemic pathogen, a more nuanced understanding of immune protection in diverse populations is required. In 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,000 Ghanaian residents to assess SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and antibody correlates of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. We found an active SARS-CoV-2 infection rate of 1.3% and a 57% vaccination rate. We observed anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike plasma antibody sero-positivity of 98.7%, with urban compared to rural residents having higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 plasma and saliva antibody concentrations. Vaccinated and urban individuals exhibited significantly greater Spike-pseudotyped virus neutralization than nonvaccinated and rural individuals. Notably, plasma antibodies preferentially bound Wuhan-Hu-1 over Omicron Spike variants. Our findings indicate significant prior and ongoing SARS-CoV-2 transmission as well as immunological imprinting by Wuhan-Hu-1-like SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a zoonotic Orthopox virus endemic to West and Central Africa, causes mpox disease. Although Ghana had no confirmed human cases before 2022, the 2003 U.S. mpox outbreak was traced to rodents exported from Ghana, suggesting potential undetected exposure in the local population. This study assessed mpox exposure prior to the emergence of Clade IIb in humans. We tested 457 serum samples collected across 14 regions of Ghana using a commercial anti-MPXV IgG ELISA. These samples comprised 365 archived sera from 2021 SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and 92 sera from suspected mpox cases during the 2022 outbreak. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine associations between MPXV seropositivity and demographic factors, including age, sex, region, urban/rural status and inferred smallpox vaccination status. Overall MPXV seroprevalence was 6.6%. Participants from the Western Region had significantly increased odds of seropositivity (aOR = 6.70, 95% CI: 1.75–25.62, p = 0.005), whereas those from Greater Accra had decreased odds (aOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.90, p = 0.033). The findings suggest localized MPXV circulation or repeated zoonotic spillover may have occurred undetected, challenging the prevailing assumption that Ghana was unaffected by human mpox prior to 2022, underscoring the importance of strengthened surveillance and preparedness in Ghana.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), an orthopox virus endemic to West and western Central Africa, is the etiological agent of Monkeypox (Mpox) disease. While the recent global outbreak has been fuelled primarily through human-to-human contact, initial transmission in endemic areas is most likely through contact with reservoir host species with secondary transmission to caregivers and close relatives. Prior to the year 2022, Ghana had not reported any human cases of Mpox, however, the 2003 Mpox outbreak in the US was initiated by rodents that were exported from Ghana. This preliminary study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Mpox after about 40 years of global eradication and discontinuation of smallpox vaccination in Ghana. ELISA was conducted on a total of 1507 archived sera collected prior to 2022 from the 16 regions of Ghana and 281 samples collected from clinical patients and their contacts to detect the presence of anti-monkeypox IgG antibodies. The overall seroprevalence of the mpox virus estimated by the study was 29% (526/1788). People living in rural communities were also found to be 0.62 times [95% CI:0.47 – 0.81, p=0.001] more likely to be exposed to the virus. Participants younger than 35 years accounted for 66% (1185/1788) of the samples tested and were considered unvaccinated with the smallpox vaccine. The odds of monkeypox exposure in participants aged 20-29 years and 30-39 years were higher compared to other age groups (aOR 1.89: 95% CI 1.23 – 2.91, p=0.004), (aOR 2.04: 95% CI 1.30 – 3.21, p=0.002) and (aOR 1.89: 95% CI 1.19 – 3.01, p=0.007) respectively. The study results indicate a fairly high seroprevalence suggesting existing MPXV circulation, especially among unvaccinated people living in the rural part of Ghana.

Background and Aim: Zoonotic parasitic infections remain a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, especially where humans and livestock share water sources. Cattle may serve as reservoirs for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), thereby undermining control programs that focus solely on humans. This study applied a One Health lens to investigate the parasitic burden in cattle from peri-urban communities near Weija Lake in the Ga South District of Ghana. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across 13 cattle kraals (KRLs) from five endemic communities. Fecal samples (n = 131) were collected by certified veterinary officers and analyzed using sedimentation and flotation techniques. Parasites were identified through light microscopy, and prevalence data were analyzed with 95% confidence intervals. Spatial data and KRL-level variables were also recorded to assess environmental risk factors. Results: Overall, 80.15% (105/131) of cattle were infected with at least one parasite. The most prevalent species was Fasciola spp. (58.77%), followed by Schistosoma spp. (SCH) (45.03%), hookworm (21.37%), and Taenia spp. (14.50%). Mixed infections occurred in 61.90% of cases, with Fasciola spp. SCH combinations accounting for 50% of mixed cases. Notably, Schistosoma mansoni – a typically human parasite – was detected in 1.53% of cattle. Parasite prevalence varied significantly by location, and proximity to water sources significantly influenced the risk of infection. Conclusion: The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites, including human-specific S. mansoni in cattle, underscores the animals’ role in maintaining transmission cycles. These findings support the integration of veterinary interventions with human public health efforts under the One Health framework. Co-targeting cattle in mass deworming campaigns and implementing environmental controls are crucial for the sustainable elimination of neglected tropical diseases. Keywords: cattle, Fasciola spp., Ghana, neglected tropical diseases, One Health, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, zoonoses.