Tag: AFRICA CDC

Africa Accelerates Genomic Science to Tackle Epidemic Threats

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Addis Ababa Africa is increasingly becoming the frontline of global disease outbreaks. According to data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent recorded a 40% increase in outbreaks, from 152 in 2022 to 213 in 2024. In the past year alone, Africa has battled multiple health threats, including a deadly cholera outbreak in Southern Africa, escalating cases of Mpox in Central and East Africa, and Marburg and Ebola outbreaks in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda respectively. While many of these outbreaks…

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Africa CDC to Convene Emergency Meeting to Review Mpox Public Health Status

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following a sustained decline in reported Mpox cases across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is set to convene an Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) meeting with experts to determine whether Mpox should still be classified as a public health emergency. In August 2024, Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS)—the first such declaration since the agency’s inception in 2017. However, recent evidence from contact tracing and screening interventions suggests a notable reduction in Mpox-related morbidity and mortality…

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Rampant Sexual Networks Hinder Mpox Response in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Efforts to curb the spread of Mpox among African Union member states remain a challenge due to widespread and interconnected sexual networks, HealthTimes has learned. Uganda currently leads in new Mpox cases, accounting for 50% of all recorded infections in Africa over the past six weeks. The majority of cases in Uganda stem from the Clade 1B strain, which is sexually transmitted. Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have collectively recorded 94% of confirmed cases since the beginning of the year. Speaking during the…

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Africa CDC Hosts Mental Health Leadership Program In Harare to Address Growing Crisis in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A 10-day Mental Health Leadership Program has kicked off in Harare, Zimbabwe, amid growing calls for governments to prioritize mental health as a public health emergency, HealthTimes has learned. The training program, aimed at equipping leaders from various sectors with the necessary skills and capacity to address the growing burden of mental health-related challenges on the continent, is being hosted by the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the  Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC). The programme is supported by Wellcome Trust and will run from…

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Africa CDC Confirms Mpox Vaccine Production to Start in 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya, told a media briefing that local production of the Mpox vaccine on the continent will commence this year, although he did not provide specific timelines. In 2024, Africa CDC partnered with Bavarian Nordic to enhance vaccine manufacturing capabilities within Africa. The partnership aims to strengthen health security across the continent. We have the outcome; we have now started discussions with the successful bidders,” said Dr. Kaseya. “At the moment, we are finalizing some…

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Amref CEO Warns US Withdrawal from WHO Could Leave Africa Exposed to Health Crises

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amref Health Africa Group CEO, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, has raised concerns over the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt funding for the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Gitahi warns that the move could severely impact global health initiatives, leaving Africa particularly exposed. President Trump justified the U.S. withdrawal by criticizing WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. As part of the decision, the U.S. plans to cease all financial contributions and formally exit WHO within 12 months. The United States has…

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Zimbabwe Records 90 Days Without Mpox

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among the few African countries that have not recorded any new Mpox cases in the past three months, a top official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said. In October 2024, Zimbabwe reported its first cases of Mpox, two months after the Africa CDC declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. However, recent data indicates that Zimbabwe has not recorded any confirmed cases during the past 90 days. Eight countries are now in the control phase, four…

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Inaugural Climate and Health Conference Rallies Africa To Take Action Against Climate-Induced Health Threats

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Although Africa contributes less than 4% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it faces some of the harshest impacts of climate change on health and the environment, leaders at the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC2024) have stated. Public health data shows that Africa is experiencing numerous climate-linked health hazards more than other regions in the world. This largely has to do with an already weakened health system and the absence of reliable early warning systems amongst a host of other factors. According to the World Health…

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UNICEF Issues Emergency Tender To Secure Mpox Vaccines For Crisis-hit African Countries

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter UNICEF has announced that it has issued an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. Vaccines can play a critical role in containing the mpox outbreak which was declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNICEF tender is issued to help secure mpox vaccines for the hardest hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and other partners. This collaboration…

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Africa CDC Develops Mpox Surveillance Reporting Protocol for African Union Member States

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to enhance existing mpox surveillance in Africa, identify at risk populations as well as understand the epidemiology, natural history and risk factors associated with mpox, the Africa Centre for Diseases Control (Africa CDC) has developed an Mpox surveillance protocol for member states. The new protocol recommends enhancing surveillance within communities and health facilities and, at the point of entries, linking these efforts to national and regional laboratories for confirmation. Countries are encouraged to share the case-based data with the African CDC and the WHO…

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