Study of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a Belgian military education and training center in Maradi, Niger

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compromises the ability of military forces to fulfill missions. At the beginning of May 2020, 22 out of 70 Belgian soldiers deployed to a military education and training center in Maradi, Niger, developed mild COVID-19 compatible symptoms. Immediately upon their return to Belgium, and two weeks later, all seventy soldiers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RT-qPCR) and antibodies (two immunoassays). Nine soldiers had at least one positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result. Five of them exhibited COVID-19 symptoms (mainly anosmia, ageusia, and fever), while four were asymptomatic. In four soldiers, SARS-CoV-2 viral load was detected and the genomes were sequenced. Conventional and genomic epidemiological data suggest that the Belgian military service men were infected with SARS-CoV-2 viruses derived from an African most recent common ancestor, through contact with locals. The medical military command implemented testing of all Belgian soldiers for SARS-CoV-2 viral load and antibodies, short (two to three days) before their departure on a mission abroad or on the high seas, and (for specific missions abroad) immediately upon their return in Belgium. Some military operational settings (e.g. training camps in austere environments and ships) were equipped with mobile infectious disease (COVID-19) testing capacity.

PIRNAY Jean-Paul;  SELHORST Philippe;  COHEZ Cristel;  PETRILLO Mauro;  CLAES Vincent;  VAN DER BEKEN Yolien;  VERBEKEN Gilbert;  DEGUELDRE Julie;  T’SAS France;  VAN DEN EEDE Guy;  WEUTS Wouter;  SMETS Cedric;  MERTENS Jan;  GEERAERTS Philippe;  ARIËN Kevin K.;  NEIRINCKX Pierre;  SOENTJENS Patrick; 

2021-06-14

MDPI

JRC121639

1999-4915 (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC121639,   

10.3390/v12090949 (online),