Among pregnant women with symptomatic, PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection, birth defects possibly associated with ZIKV infection were present in 7% of fetuses and infants. Defects occurred more frequently in fetuses and infants whose mothers had been infected early in pregnancy. Longer-term follow-up of infants is required to assess any manifestations not detected at birth. (Funded by the French Ministry of Health and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02916732 .).

Background & Aims In 2015, a national Egyptian health issue survey was conducted to describe the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this paper, we describe the HCV burden in 2015, compare the results with the national survey conducted in 2008, and discuss the implications of the new findings on prevention of HCV in Egypt. Methods A multistage probability sampling approach was used, similar to the national demographic survey conducted in 2008. More than 90% of sampled individuals complied with the interview and provided blood samples. Results In the 15–59-year age groups, the prevalence of HCV antibody was found to be 10.0% (95% CI 9.5–10.5) and that of HCV RNA to be 7.0% (95% CI 6.6–7.4). In children, 1–14 years old, the prevalence of HCV antibody and HCV RNA were 0.4% (95% CI 0.3–0.5) and 0.2% (95% CI 0.1–0.3) respectively. Approximately, 3.7 million persons have chronic HCV infection in the age group 15–59 in 2015. An estimated 29% reduction in HCV RNA prevalence has been seen since 2008, which is largely attributable to the ageing of the group infected 40–50 years ago during the mass schistosomiasis treatment campaigns. Prevention efforts may have also contributed to this decline, with an estimated 75% (95% CI 6– 45) decrease in HCV incidence in the 0–19 year age groups over the past 20 years. Conclusions These findings can be used to shape future HCV prevention policies in Egypt.

Compared to Asia, the risk of mother-to-child transmission is low in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the annual number of infants perinatally infected with HBV is twice the number of incident paediatric HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa (n = 190 000). This highlights the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been long neglected.

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