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Review
. 2024 May;30(5):900-907.
doi: 10.3201/eid3005.231042.

Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, 2020-20211

Maurice Ope, Raymond Musyoka, John Kiogora, Jesse Wambugu, Elizabeth Hunsperger, Gideon O Emukule, Peninah Munyua, Bonaventure Juma, Elizabeth Simiyu, Levan Gagnidze, John Burton, Rachel B Eidex
Review

Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, 2020-20211

Maurice Ope et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 May.

Abstract

Understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection in populations at increased risk for poor health is critical to reducing disease. We describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya. We performed descriptive analyses of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the camp and surrounding community during March 16, 2020‒December 31, 2021. We identified cases in accordance with national guidelines.We estimated fatality ratios and attack rates over time using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing for refugees, host community members, and national population. Of the 18,864 SARS-CoV-2 tests performed, 1,024 were positive, collected from 664 refugees and 360 host community members. Attack rates were 325.0/100,000 population (CFR 2.9%) for refugees,150.2/100,000 population (CFR 1.11%) for community, and 628.8/100,000 population (CFR 1.83%) nationwide. During 2020-2021, refugees experienced a lower attack rate but higher CFR than the national population, underscoring the need to prioritize SARS-CoV-2 mitigation measures, including vaccination.

Keywords: COVID-19; Kenya; SARS-CoV-2; epidemiology; refugees; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Testing algorithm and timelines for priority groups in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, March 2020‒December 31, 2021. Voluntary repatriation was halted in 2020 because of the pandemic and resumed in April 2021. Symptomatic persons were initially tested for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time PCR; starting April 2021, they were tested used only Ag RDT; starting in June 2021, positive samples were confirmed using GeneXpert (Cephid, https://www.cepheid.com). Persons with SARI/ILI were initially tested using real-time PCR; starting April 2021, they were tested using both Ag RDT and real-time PCR. Ag RDT, antigen rapid diagnostic testing; ILI, influenza-like illness; SARI, severe acute respiratory illness.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Weekly COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 testing rates per 1,000 population for the general population and among host and refugee populations in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, March 16, 2020‒December 31, 2021.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Weekly SARS-CoV-2 infection attack rates per 100,000 population for the general population and among host and refugee populations in Kakuma Refugee Camp Complex, Kenya, March 16, 2020‒December 31, 2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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