The roadmap highlights and advocates for the existing and potential key role of national public health institutes (NPHIs) in climate adaptation and mitigation, and how they contribute to climate policies, research and action.

Africa CDC Institute of Pathogen Genomics (IPG) was launched in November 2019 and operates under the Division of Laboratory Systems and Networks. IPG coordinate the implementation of molecular diagnostics, pathogen genomics and bioinformatics in National Public Health Institutions (...ribute-to-highlight medbox">NPHIs) and/or Refe- -rence Laboratories (NRLs) across Africa. Africa CDC and APHF are coordinating a continental initiative to maximize the benefits of molecular approaches and pathogen genomics for more effective outbreak preparedness, prevention, response, and for the control and elimination of endemic diseases in Africa. One of Africa CDC’s flagship initiative is the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI), a partnership that aims to strengthen laboratory systems and enhance genomic surveillance by equipping the continent’s public health institutions with the tools, training, and data infrastructure. About the Project In 2023, 166 outbreaks and public health events were reported in Africa. This calls for a resilient laboratory systems for timely detection and reporting of current and future outbreaks. This project aims to scale up molecular diagnostic and genomic sequencing-based detection and characterization of outbreaks. Africa CDC is working with Member States to develop guidance, diagnostic algorithm, training and capacity building to enable outbreak detection, and reporting to inform public health response. more

Version 02, veröffentlicht am 23.12.2020

The first update of the ECDC ventilation guidance document contains: key new findings that emphasise four bundles of NPIs to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in closed spaces; updated references on the evidence of transmission in closed spaces; recommendations based on the n...ew evidence and on national and international guidance; and an overview of national guidance ventilation documents in the context of COVID-19 based on an inquiry sent to ECDC’s National Focal Points (NFPs) for Preparedness and Response and NFPs for Influenza and other respiratory diseases. more

This document draws on scientific evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic and from prior public health research on behaviour change, with the purpose of empowering African Union Member States to promote widespread adoption of masks in the general population. This document complements existing Africa CDC... technical guidance on the community use of face masks. more

Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organisms are increasing globally, threatening to render existing treatments ineffective against many infectious diseases. In Africa, AMR has already been documented to be a problem for HIV and the pathogens that cause malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, cholera, meningitis..., gonorrhea, and dysentery. Recognizing the urgent need for action, the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in May 2015. In accordance with the Global Action Plan and to meet needs specific to Africa, Africa CDC will establish the Anti-Microbial Resistance Surveillance Network (AMRSNET). AMRSNET is a network of public health institutions and leaders from human and animal health sectors who will collaborate to measure, prevent, and mitigate harms from AMR organisms. more

The application of digital health technology is growing at a rapid rate in Africa, with the goals of improving the delivery of healthcare services and more effectively reaching out to remote and underserved communities. The lack of enabling guidelines and standards across the continent, on the other... hand, makes it difficult to share data in a meaningful way across the continent. Considering this, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) established a task force of 24 members to provide expertise and guidance in the development of AU HIE guidelines and standards. Members of the task force were subject matter experts working in Africa and internationally on the collection, analysis, and exchange of health information. Some of these experts had been involved in previous consultations on defining Africa CDC’s health information systems strategy. A chairperson, co-chairperson, and secretary were elected to engage the task force members in different technical working groups. more

Accessed: 02.04.2020

In Control imparts knowledge, provokes reflection and triggers curiosity. The first half of the book provides an overview of the organisations, principles, frameworks and themes that every professional deploying to health emergencies should be aware of. The second half of the book provides practical... advice to help professionals survive and thrive during their mission – from staying healthy, protecting oneself from cyber-attacks and coping with stress to building trust among the host community or dealing with language barriers and the press. This handbook is free of charge and can be made available in small quantities as long as supply lasts. To order, please send this form to: incontrol-handbook@rki.de more

A Situational Assessment and Five-YearAction Plan for the Africa CDC Strengthening Regional Public Health Institutions and Capacity for Surveillance and Response Program

A public health emergency operation center (PHEOC) serves as a hub for better coordinating the preparation, response, and recovery for public health emergencies. A functional PHEOC is critical for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The Framework for a Public Healt...h Emergency Operations Centre provides high-level guidance for establishing or strengthening a PHEOC. To establish and/or strengthen a PHEOC, it is vital for Member States to align with standardized policies, guidelines, and tools. more

In 2007, WHO warned that infectious diseases are emerging and re-emerging at a rate that has not been seen before. The potential for infectious diseases to spread rapidly results in high morbidity and mortality, causing a potential global public health treat of major concern. Several factors are ...contributing to the (re)emergence of infectious diseases such as population growth, living in close contact with animals, frequent travelling, poverty, destructive ecological changes due to economic development and land use and climate change result in global warming. Especially Africa is at a threat for (re)emerging infectious diseases due to the huge population growth (expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050) with rapid urbanisation. Additionally, people across and beyond the continent are excessively mobile which is combined with a weak health system. Moreover, the risk of (re)emerging infectious disease is further heightened by three newly adopted continental initiatives: African Continental Free Trade Area, Free Movement of Persons and African Passport and Single African Air Transport Market. more

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & injuries and mental health conditions constitute a serious impediment to achieving the vision of Agenda 2063 to build an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens. Each year, these conditions cause millions of premature deaths and disab...led lives across Africa. These conditions also lead to annual economic loss of multiple billion US-Dollars. Their burden both in terms of disease morbidity/mortality and socio-economic impact is increasing. more

A aplicação da tecnologia digital de saúde está crescendo rapidamente na África, com o objetivo de melhorar a prestação de serviços de saúde e alcançar de forma mais eficaz comunidades remotas e carentes. A falta de diretrizes e padrões habilitadores em todo o continente, por outro ...lado, dificulta o compartilhamento de dados de forma significativa em todo o continente. Considerando isso, os Centros Africanos de Controle e Prevenção de Doenças (CDC África) estabeleceram uma força-tarefa de 24 membros para fornecer experiência e orientação no desenvolvimento de diretrizes e padrões da AU HIE. Os membros da força-tarefa eram especialistas no assunto que trabalhavam na África e internacionalmente na coleta, análise e troca de informações de saúde. Alguns desses especialistas estiveram envolvidos em consultas anteriores sobre a definição da estratégia de sistemas de informação de saúde do CDC África. Um presidente, copresidente e secretário foram eleitos para envolver os membros da força-tarefa em diferentes grupos de trabalho técnicos. more

The Event-based Surveillance Framework is intended to be used by authorities and agencies responsible for surveillance and response. This framework serves as an outline to guide stakeholders interested in implementing event-based surveillance (EBS) using a multisectoral, One Health approach. To ...that end, the document is arranged in interlinked chapters and annexes that can be modified and adapted, as needed, by users. This is a revised version of the original “Framework for Event-based Surveillance” that was published in 2018. This framework does not replace any other available EBS materials, but rather builds on existing relevant or related documents and serves as a practical guide for the implementation of EBS in Africa. This framework is aligned with the third edition of the WHO Joint External Evaluation for the following indicators: strengthened early warning surveillance systems that are able to detect events of significance for public health and health security (Indicator D2.1); improved communication and collaboration across sectors and between National, intermediate and local public health response levels of authority regarding surveillance of events of public health significance (Indicator D2.2); and improved national and intermediate-level capacity to analyse data (Indicator D2.3). As countries begin to implement and demonstrate EBS functionality they will ensure an increase in JEE scores and progress towards meeting the requirements outlined in the IHR3F Additionally, in African Union Member States that have adopted the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy, this document is a complement to and can enhance the implementation of IDSR, especially for the 3rd edition (2019) that includes components related to EBS. more

A Estrutura de Vigilância Baseada em Eventos deve ser usada por autoridades e agências responsáveis pela vigilância e resposta. Essa estrutura serve como um esboço para orientar as partes interessadas em implementar a vigilância baseada em eventos (EBS) usando uma abordagem multissetorial ...de One Health. Para esse fim, o documento é organizado em capítulos e anexos interligados que podem ser modificados e adaptados, conforme necessário, pelos usuários. Esta é uma versão revisada da “Estrutura para Vigilância Baseada em Eventos” original, publicada em 2018. Essa estrutura não substitui nenhum outro material disponível do EBS, mas se baseia em documentos relevantes ou relacionados existentes e serve como um guia prático para a implementação do EBS na África. Essa estrutura está alinhada com a terceira edição da Avaliação Externa Conjunta da OMS para os seguintes indicadores: sistemas de vigilância de alerta precoce fortalecidos que são capazes de detectar eventos importantes para a saúde pública e a segurança da saúde (Indicador D2.1); melhor comunicação e colaboração entre os setores e entre os níveis de autoridade de resposta à saúde pública nacional, intermediário e local em relação à vigilância de eventos importantes para a saúde pública (Indicador D2.2); e melhor capacidade nacional e intermediária de analisar dados ( Indicador D2.3). À medida que os países começarem a implementar e demonstrar a funcionalidade do EBS, eles garantirão um aumento nas pontuações do JEE e progredirão no cumprimento dos requisitos descritos no IHR 3F. . Além disso, nos Estados Membros da União Africana que adotaram a estratégia Integrada de Vigilância e Resposta a Doenças (IDSR), este documento é um complemento e pode aprimorar a implementação do IDSR, especialmente para a 3ª edição (2019), que inclui componentes relacionados ao EBS. more

The greatest risk to persons engaging in international medical emergency response is poor preparation. The In Control handbook hopes to provide a remedy. At the time of writing, we are living through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a health emergency that disregards physical borders, brin...gs into focus social inequalities and affects people on every continent. This shared challenge requires unprecedented measures and the collaboration of the brightest minds to support global health protection through this crisis and beyond. Healthcare infrastructures have to be strengthened, public health capacities and processes upgraded, medical countermeasures and vaccinations found and psychosocial side-effects treated. Solidarity is the normative order of the day and the human species has to collaborate to face this invisible threat. Hiding and living in fear is not an option in this interconnected world. We have both a responsibility and an opportunity to make substantial contributions to a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for us all. The existence of this handbook is an impressive example of solidarity. Over 50 authors from more than 15 institutes and organisations have come together voluntarily within a very short time to make their expertise available and enable cross-sectoral thinking. Knowledge is bundled, resources are combined, information gaps are filled. The In Control handbook is not a theoretical treatise of possible dangers, but a collection of subject-matter expertise, written by experts and practitioners who have shaped health topics over the past 20 years in the most diverse corners of the world. The Centre for International Health Protection at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is collaborating with its partners and investing heavily in the build-up of operational know-how and capacity to support health crisis response abroad. This is done by preparing and enabling professionals to deploy safely across the world to assist those in need. In Control addresses the multi-faceted challenges of an international deployment. Readers will find not only technical medical information, but also insights into, for example, the fragility of our environment, the cultural differences that influence risk communication or the dilemmas arising from social distancing. Legal principles are highlighted, along with ethical guidance to ensure that our actions and decisions correspond to the highest moral standards. more

In 2006, the Special Session of African Union Health Ministers adopted the Maputo Plan of Action for implementing the Continental Policy Framework on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which expired at the end of 2015. The goal was for all stakeholders and partners to join forces and ...re-double efforts, so that together, the effective implementation of the Continental Policy framework including universal access to sexual and reproductive health by 2015 in all countries in Africa can be achieved. The Revised Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA) 2016 – 2030 was subsequently endorsed by the African Union Heads of State at the 27th AU Summit in July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The plan reinforces the call for universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in Africa and lays foundation to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 and 5, as well as the African Union Agenda 2063. more

JIMSA Jan.-March 2015 Vol. 28 no.1 p.47-50e