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. 2021 Jun 25;12(1):3966.
doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24062-3.

Temporal trends of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kenya

Ifedayo M O Adetifa #  1   2 , Sophie Uyoga #  3 , John N Gitonga #  4 , Daisy Mugo #  4 , Mark Otiende  4 , James Nyagwange  4 , Henry K Karanja  4 , James Tuju  4 , Perpetual Wanjiku  4 , Rashid Aman  5 , Mercy Mwangangi  5 , Patrick Amoth  5 , Kadondi Kasera  5 , Wangari Ng'ang'a  6 , Charles Rombo  7 , Christine Yegon  7 , Khamisi Kithi  7 , Elizabeth Odhiambo  7 , Thomas Rotich  7 , Irene Orgut  7 , Sammy Kihara  7 , Christian Bottomley  8 , Eunice W Kagucia  4 , Katherine E Gallagher  4   8 , Anthony Etyang  4 , Shirine Voller  4   8 , Teresa Lambe  9 , Daniel Wright  9 , Edwine Barasa  4 , Benjamin Tsofa  4 , Philip Bejon  4   9 , Lynette I Ochola-Oyier  4 , Ambrose Agweyu  4 , J Anthony G Scott  4   8   9 , George M Warimwe  4   9
Affiliations

Temporal trends of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kenya

Ifedayo M O Adetifa et al. Nat Commun. .

Abstract

Observed SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths are low in tropical Africa raising questions about the extent of transmission. We measured SARS-CoV-2 IgG by ELISA in 9,922 blood donors across Kenya and adjusted for sampling bias and test performance. By 1st September 2020, 577 COVID-19 deaths were observed nationwide and seroprevalence was 9.1% (95%CI 7.6-10.8%). Seroprevalence in Nairobi was 22.7% (18.0-27.7%). Although most people remained susceptible, SARS-CoV-2 had spread widely in Kenya with apparently low associated mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.A., M.M., K.K. and P.A. are from the Ministry of Health, Government of Kenya. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kenya from 1st May - 20th September 2020.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Seroprevalence positivity across the study period by region.
The figure shows unadjusted estimates (black dots) and Bayesian model estimates (grey line) of seroprevalence in 8 regions of Kenya and overall, by date of sample collection in 10 periods of ~2 weeks each during 2020 (n = 9992). With the exception of the first period in Rift Valley (7 May) and 6th period in Eastern/North Eastern (21 July), all data estimates of zero prevalence are based on small sample sets (<20 samples). Error bars are 95% Confidence Intervals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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