The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative was launched by the Africa CDC in April 201...9 with the aim of strengthening the African Union (AU) Member States’ biosafety and biosecurity systems and enabling them to comply with national and international requirements for biosafety and biosecurity including the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and the multi-country Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The World Health Organization (WHO) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the Global Health Security Index report confirmed the known capacity gaps in biosafety and biosecurity among Africa Union Member (AU).
The regional consultations by Africa CDC conducted between 2019-2021 highlighted the deficiency or limited availability of standardized and regionally recognized training programs in the continent, limiting biosafety and biosecurity capacity building efforts in the region. In response, Africa CDC working with AU Member States developed a home grown, implementable and accessible professional training and certification program that is both recognized and endorsed by AU Member States. The Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals, for African Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals (RTCP-BBP) has four (4) areas of specialization, namely
- Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets
- Biorisk Management
- Design and Maintenance of Facilities Handling High Risk Pathogens (Biocontainment Engineering)
- Biological Waste management
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To eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched... a campaign against the disease. Since the launch in 2000, significant progress has been made to achieve this ambitious goal. In this article we review the progress and status of the LF programme in Africa through the WHO neglected
tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy databank, the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) portal and other publications. In the African Region there are 35 countries endemic for LF. The Gambia was reclassified as not requiring preventive chemotherapy in 2015, while Togo and Malawi eliminated LF as a public health problem in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Cameroon discontinued mass drug administration (MDA) and transitioned to post-MDA surveillance to validate elimination. The trajectory of coverage continues to accelerate; treatment coverage increased from 0.1% in 2000 to 62.1% in 2018. Geographical coverage has also significantly increased, from 62.7% in 2015 to 78.5% in 2018. In 2019, 23 of 31 countries requiring MDA achieved 100% geographic coverage. Although much remains to be done, morbidity management and disability prevention services have steadily increased in recent years. Vector control interventions conducted by other programmes, particularly malaria vector control, have had a profound effect in stopping transmission in some endemic countries in the region. In conclusion, significant progress has been made in the LF programme
in the region while we identify the key remaining challenges in achieving an Africa free of LF.
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Air pollution is one of the leading causes of health complications and mortality worldwide, especially affecting lower-income groups, who tend to be more exposed and vulnerable. This study documents... the relationship between ambient air pollution exposure and poverty in 211 countries and territories. Using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2021 revised fine particulate matter (PM2.5) thresholds, we show that globally, 7.3 billion people are directly exposed to unsafe average annual PM2.5 concentrations, 80 percent of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, 716 million of the world’s lowest income people (living on less than $1.90 per day) live in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Air pollution levels are particularly high in lower-middle-income countries, where economies tend to rely more heavily on polluting industries and technologies. These findings are based on high-resolution air pollution and population maps with global coverage, as well as subnational poverty estimates based on harmonized household surveys.
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Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is involved in an effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic that is facing South Africa and the world...an> at large. Prof. Helen Rees is a member of the team advising the Health Minister on COVID-19 (MAC). She is part of the Clinicians Group, the Research group and the Incident Management Team (IMT). Prof. Rees is Co-Chair of the South African arm of the Solidarity study
This is a World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinated trial that will generate high quality evidence on COVID-19 treatment options. Prof Helen is also the International Coordinator for the global Crown Coronation study. This study is aimed at looking at strategies to protect healthcare workers.
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Human African trypanosomiasis is caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in West and Central Africa and by T. brucei rhodesiense in East Africa; both species are endemic in Uganda. Trypanosoma brucei... gambiense accounts for 98% of all cases of African trypanosomiasis, and T. brucei rhodesiense accounts for 2%. African trypanosomiasis has been targeted for eradication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and, as a result of control efforts, there has been a dramatic decrease (> 95%) in the number of reported cases worldwide.
Professional version as well as patient education
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Cholera is a transmissible diarrhoeal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. Endemic and/or epidemic in over 40 countries (mainly in Africa and Asia), cholera continues to be a major global public health...an> issue.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of cases reported worldwide represents in reality only 5 to 10% of actual cases.
This guide is intended for medical and non-medical staff responding to a cholera outbreak. It attempts to provide concrete answers to the questions and problems faced by staff, based on the recommendations of reference organisations, such as WHO and UNICEF, as well as Médecins Sans Frontières’ experience in the field.
It is divided into 8 chapters. Chapter 1, Cholera overview, outlines the epidemiological and clinical features of cholera. Chapter 2, Outbreak investigation, explains the method and stages of a field investigation, from the alert to implementation of initial activities. Chapter 3, Cholera control measures, details measures and tools to prevent and/or control cholera transmission and mortality in populations affected, or at risk of being affected, by an epidemic (curative care, prevention means and health promotion activities). Chapter 4, Strategies for epidemic response, addresses the roll-out strategies of the measures described in Chapter 3 which depend on context (e.g. urban, rural, endemic, non-endemic setting, etc.), resources and particular constraints. Chapter 5, Cholera case management, details the different stages of cholera treatment, from diagnosis through to cure.
Chapter 6, Setting up cholera treatment facilities, focuses on the installation of treatment facilities that vary in size and complexity according to operational requirements (treatment centres and units and oral rehydration points). Chapter 7, Organisation of cholera treatment facilities, describes the organisation of these specialized facilities in terms of human resources, supply, water, hygiene and sanitation, etc. Chapter 8, Monitoring and evaluation, presents the key data to be collected and analysed during an epidemic to facilitate a tailored response and evaluate its quality and effectiveness.
The guide includes various practical tools in the appendices to facilitate activities (e.g. water quality tests, job descriptions, documents, etc.). Moreover, the toolbox also contains additional tools in editable formats (individual patient file, cholera case register, pictograms).
Despite all efforts, it is possible that certain errors may have been overlooked in this guide. Please inform the authors of any errors detected.
To ensure that this guide continues to evolve while remaining adapted to field realities, please send any comments or suggestions.
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The African Regional Convening of the Global Initiative to Support Parents (GISP) stimulated the interest or engagement of almost 1500 individuals from 742 unique organizations in the fields of health...n>, education, social welfare, women’s affairs, early childhood, water and sanitation, mental health, violence prevention, innovative finance, climate, and many others. The convening united representatives across governments, civil society organizations, programme implementers, philanthropies, multilateral organizations, bilateral funders, private companies, universities, schools and day care centres, and hospitals around the common cause of supporting parents and caregivers.
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Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes human monkeypox, a viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, including fever and rash. Following the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980, monkeypox emerged as the most significant orthopoxvirus infection in humans. Cases are most often rep...orted from rural areas of Central and West African countries, particularly in regions close to tropical rainforest where people may have contact with infected animals. Someone can become infected through direct contact with respiratory droplets of another person who has monkeypox in the home or in a health facility, or with contaminated materials such as bedding. Although these are the main modes of person-to-person transmission, monkeypox outbreaks tend to occur in small clusters of a few cases without leading to widespread community transmission. For this reason, outbreaks can be easily controlled when responded to rapidly. On several occasions, monkeypox has been reported in other regions due to importation by travelers or infected animals. This course provides a general introduction to the disease through a video and accompanying downloadable presentation that can be reviewed at your own pace. It is intended for health personnel responsible for prevention and control of monkeypox, and for the general public.
The content and scope of this course on monkeypox have been tailored for outbreaks in African countries where the disease is endemic. The course material was last updated in 2020 and may not reflect most recent WHO guidance issued for the multi-country outbreak in 2022.
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La variole du singe est une maladie infectieuse émergente causée par un virus transmis par des animaux infectés, le plus souvent des rongeurs. Elle peut ensuite se propager d’une personne à l’autre, mais la transmission de personne à personne ne peut à elle seule entretenir une éclosion. ...La présentation clinique est semblable à celle observée chez les patients atteints autrefois de la variole, mais moins grave. La variole a été éradiquée dans le monde entier en 1980. Cependant, la variole du singe est encore présente sporadiquement dans des régions d'Afrique centrale et occidentale, près des forêts tropicales humides. De manière générale, le taux de létalité dans les épidémies de variole du singe est de 1 à 10 %, mais avec des soins appropriés, la plupart des patients se rétablissent.
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Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, caused by monkeypox virus, recognized as the most important orthopoxvirus infection after the eradication of smallpox.
This course offers public health officers and ...health workers in-depth information to understand the epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical presentation, diagnostics, and treatment of monkeypox, as well as the strategies needed for effective prevention and outbreak investigation and response.
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L’orthopoxvirose simienne, aussi connu sous les noms de variole du singe ou monkeypox, est une zoonose causée par l'orthopoxvirus simien et reconnue comme l'infection à orthopoxvirus la plus importante depuis l'éradication de la variole.
Ce cours offre aux personnel de santé publique et aux a...gents de santé des informations approfondies pour comprendre l'épidémiologie, les modes de transmission, la présentation clinique, le diagnostic et le traitement de la variole du singe, ainsi que les stratégies nécessaires pour la prévention, Ce cours offer aussi des suggestions pour mener une enquête et mettre en oeuvre une réponse efficace à une flambée de variole du singe.
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جُدري القردة مرضٌ معدٍ مستجدٌ، يسبِّبه فيروس ينتقل إلى البشر من الحيوانات المصابة، التي تكون من القوارض في أغلب الأحيان. ويمكن أن تنتشر العدوى به إلى أشخاص آخرين، إ...ا أن انتقال العدوى من شخص إلى آخر لا يمكن أن يؤدي وحده بسهولة إلى حدوث فاشية. ولا تختلف المظاهر السريرية عن تلك التي شوهدت في الماضي مع الجدري، إلا أنها أقل وخامة. وقد تم استئصال الجدري في جميع أنحاء العالم في عام 1980، إلا أن جُدري القردة لا يزال يظهر بشكل متقطِّع في أجزاءٍ من وسط وغرب أفريقيا بالقرب من الغابات الاستوائية المطيرة. ويتراوح معدل إماتة الحالات في فاشيات جُدري القردة ما بين 1-10%، إلا أنه مع الرعاية الملائمة، يتعافى أغلب المرضى. وتوفر هذه الدورة التدريبية مقدمةً عامةً عن جُدري القردة، وهي موجهة إلى العاملين الصحيين المسؤولين عن الوقاية من مرض
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Follow up to the so called Abuja Declaration ten years later: In April 2001, heads of state of African Union countries met and pledged to set a target of allocating at least 15% of their annual budget to improve the health sector. At the same time, ...they urged donor countries to "fulfil the yet to be met target of 0.7% of their GNP as official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries". This drew attention to the shortage of resources necessary to improve health in low income settings.
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Conformément aux recommandations de divers comités de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS), le Bureau régional de l’OMS pour l’Afrique a mis en place trois initiatives phares afin de permettre aux États Membres de la Région africain...e de se préparer aux urgences de santé publique, de les détecter et d’y riposter. Ces programmes sont le fruit de consultations approfondies avec plus de 30 Ministres africains, ainsi qu’avec des acteurs techniques, des partenaires à travers le continent et des institutions régionales telles que le Centre africain de contrôle et de prévention des maladies (CDC-Afrique), dont les contributions ont façonné les activités prioritaires. Le présent rapport est le quatrième rapport de synthèse trimestriel sur les progrès accomplis dans la mise en œuvre des initiatives phares.
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This annual report gives an overview of WHO lesotho Country office's undertakings and achievements in the context of an extraordinary health emergency. As we walk another mile this year, may we embr...ace all lessonst leanred in the previous year, learn from what did not work so well and take on new opportunities in championing health in the country.
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Cotonou Declaration oBuruli Ulcer
Cotonou, Benin, 30 March 2009
Neglected tropical diseases kill, weaken or incapacitate millions of people every year, causing permanent physical suffering, social stigmatization and reduced productive capacity. Buruli ulcer, one such disease, causes immense suffer...ing and disabilities, especially among children. Delayed schooling and loss of productivity are considerable among the affected populations. These adverse consequences tend to aggravate poverty in affected communities. Globally, the disease has been reported in 30 countries. In WHO’s African Region, Buruli ulcer has been confirmed in 12 countries and is suspected in 10 others.
Significant progress has been made in the past 10 years in knowledge of Buruli
ulcer, investments in related research, control of the disease, and improvement
of tools for case diagnosis and development of treatment protocols. Substantial achievements have been made in diagnosis, treatment, immunology and epidemiology. Despite these achievements, little is known about the exact mode of transmission of the disease, and there is no simple diagnostic test usable in the field.
The use of antibiotics has revolutionized treatment and contributed to reducing the need for surgery by half. However, efforts are still needed to develop simple diagnostic tools usable in the field as well as disability prevention methods. The Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative has adopted the strategy recommended by WHO. The strategy is based on early diagnosis of the disease and the use of antibiotics for treatment upon the onset of the first signs by improving access to screening and case management at the most peripheral level of the health system.
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Un évènement de santé publique grave (PHE) consiste en une flambée quelconque ou en toute
autre situation en évolution rapide qui peut avoir un impact négatif sur la santé humaine et exiger
une évaluation et des actions immédiates. Le terme prend en compte tout évènement n’ayant pas
...encore entraîné la maladie chez l’homme mais susceptible de la causer à travers une exposition à
des environnements, des produits manufacturés, des animaux, de l’eau ou de la nourriture infectés
ou contaminés. Le Règlement sanitaire international (2005) entend par «risque pour la santé
publique», «la probabilité d’un événement qui peut nuire à la santé des populations humaines,
plus particulièrement d’un événement pouvant se propager au niveau international ou présenter
un danger grave et direct.»
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Les maladies concernées sont les schistosomiases, les géohelminthiases, la lèpre, la rage, la dengue, la leishmaniose, le mycétome, et les envenimassions par morsure de serpents. Tout comme plusieurs autres pays, la Mauritanie se trouve actuellement à un stade où le trachome n'est plus c...onsidéré comme un grand problème de santé publique, même s'il subsiste des foyers d'endémicité. Toutefois, un programme de surveillance est aujourd’hui en place. Si aucun nouveau cas n’est signalé, la Mauritanie sera certifié exempt de trachome en juillet 2022
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21 January 2022
The overall threat posed by Omicron largely depends on four key questions: (i) how transmissible the variant is; (ii) how well vaccines and prior infection protect against infection, transmission, clinical disease and death; (iii) how virulent the variant is compared to other varian...ts; and (iv) how populations understand these dynamics, perceive risk and follow control measures, including public health and social measures (PHSM).
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