Health

For the first time, the East African Community (EAC) is operationalising its Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool in response to an international public health emergency due to the spreading Mpox virus disease outbreak. EAC Partner States such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Burundi are particularly affected, with the DRC reporting over 7,000 confirmed cases by end of October 2024, around 40% of them among children under 15.

The Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool is a specialized team of trained health professionals and other experts within the East African Community (EAC) that can be quickly mobilized to assist member states in managing public health emergencies. The RDE Pool brings together experts in fields like epidemiology, environment, IT, laboratory science, logistics, risk communication, and clinical management, providing immediate, hands-on support in disease surveillance, response coordination, and healthcare provision during outbreaks. By deploying the RDE Pool, EAC enhances regional preparedness and strengthens each member state's capacity to address complex health crises effectively and efficiently. Read more on this link .

In March 2023, Tanzania faced a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera region, impacting nine confirmed cases and resulting in six deaths. Through swift response actions, led by the Government of Tanzania and supported by Africa CDC and other health partners, the outbreak was contained within 78 days. Key factors in this success included strong political leadership, robust partnerships across sectors, and efficient use of existing health programs and resources. Regular coordination, multi-sectoral collaboration, and transparent communication were also pivotal in managing the crisis effectively, setting a benchmark for handling future outbreaks.

More details in an article by Africa CDC on this link .

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to face a significant Mpox outbreak, with 23 of its 26 provinces reporting confirmed cases. According to a recent UNICEF Mpox situational report, as of October 2024, over 31,350 suspected cases and 992 deaths have been recorded, with a case fatality rate of 3.1%. In response, the report indicates, UNICEF has launched a vaccination campaign in eight health zones across three provinces, reaching 14,180 people, mostly frontline workers. However, testing challenges and limited resources hinder the ability to fully control the outbreak, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Eastern provinces, such as South Kivu and North Kivu, are witnessing a rise in case fatality rates, exacerbated by overcrowding, inadequate WASH infrastructure, and frequent cross-border movement. Vulnerable children, particularly those facing malnutrition or undiagnosed HIV, are at heightened risk of severe Mpox outcomes. Meanwhile, new hotspots continue to emerge in provinces like Haut Uele and Ituri.

In Tshopo province, where 79 deaths have been reported, UNICEF, in collaboration with local partners, has established nine treatment centers to curb the outbreak. Despite these efforts, the province still struggles with a high case fatality rate of 4.9%. UNICEF’s efforts to disseminate preventive messages have reached over 43 million people nationwide, raising awareness through various media channels.

The Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prompted swift action, with the arrival of 99,100 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine in early September 2024. This critical shipment, facilitated by Africa CDC and UNICEF, marked the beginning of a large-scale vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. The DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, alongside key officials from Africa CDC and UNICEF, emphasized the importance of this milestone in protecting vulnerable populations, especially frontline health workers. The vaccines are seen as a crucial tool in the fight against the escalating epidemic, which has already resulted in thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths this year.

The JYNNEOS vaccine rollout follows Africa CDC's declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) in August 2024. The vaccination campaign is part of a broader effort by the DRC Ministry of Health and international partners to mitigate the crisis, with a focus on protecting children and high-risk groups. By mid-September, the DRC is expected to have received a total of 200,000 vaccine doses. These actions underscore the commitment of African and international health organizations to control the outbreak and safeguard the health of communities across the country.

Read more from UNICEF Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Situation Report No. 2 (Mpox) of September - October 2024 on this link .
 

In the past 24 hours, Uganda has confirmed 11 new Mpox cases, bringing the total to 164 cases since the outbreak began, with a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.6%. Among the confirmed cases, 13 patients are being moved to treatment units across districts including Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Kasese, and Wakiso. Tragically, one death has been recorded. Several districts, such as Adjumani, Kabale, and Mbarara, continue to host active admissions as health authorities ramp up efforts to control the outbreak. For further details, refer to the WHO Mpox Outbreak Situation Update from October 21, 2024.

Read more from WHO Mpox Outbreak in Uganda situation update of 21 October 2024 on this link . 

Read EAC calls for heightened public awareness to combat spread of Mpox on this link .

Rwanda has reported no new Marburg virus infections or deaths for nearly a week, according to the country’s health minister.

Speaking to reporters in Kigali, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed that there has been no "community transmission" of the virus. He emphasized that all positive cases so far have come from known contacts of infected individuals.

Nsanzimana highlighted that the last six days have seen no new cases or fatalities, attributing the control of the outbreak to the effective identification and isolation of those exposed. This, he noted, is crucial in halting the spread of haemorrhagic fevers like Marburg. See latest updates from Rwanda Ministry of Health on this link . 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4.5 billion people worldwide lack access to essential healthcare services. Amidst global health challenges, more than 100,000 mpox cases and 200 deaths have been confirmed, and outbreaks of cholera and other diseases are escalating. A report predicts climate change could cause 14.5 million additional deaths by 2050 and impose a $1.1 trillion burden on healthcare systems. Experts warn that global preparedness remains inadequate, with lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic largely unlearned. Read more from this report by Al Jazeera.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the mitigation measures taken to limit its spread have significantly disrupted other essential health services in Africa. This disruption has threatened the control of major high-burden diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria as well as the prevention of maternal and child mortality.

While the 2020 WHO global reports for HIV, TB, and malaria show progress in control of these diseases in African countries, there are still significant gaps in meeting the global targets. Similarly, modeling studies predict that most African countries are unlikely to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 targets for reductions in maternal and child mortality under the current rate of progress.

Prediction models and emerging empirical data indicate that the implemented mitigation measures against COVID-19 such as travel restrictions and lockdowns as well as the repurposing of health resources and suspension of prevention programs such as immunizations will lead to an increase in new infections and deaths, significantly reversing the gains achieved in the control of these health challenges.

A more comprehensive COVID-19 response that minimizes indirect deaths is therefore warranted in Africa. These include implementing WHO recommendations that limit contact with the clinic where possible, such as multimonths drug dispensing, self-testing, virtual platforms for case management, community- and home-based prevention, and care services such as home distribution of test kits, vaccines, treatment, and mosquito nets.

This is in addition to ensuring effective implementation of COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities including providing healthcare workers with personal protective equipment and prioritizing them for COVID-19 immunization.

There is also a need to incorporate aggressive recovery plans to reverse the lost gains in disease control efforts and put African countries back on course toward achieving the global targets. This includes leveraging on the wider COVID-19 response enablements such as the increased political will and global solidarity funding efforts to support a more comprehensive response that accounts for the indirect public health effects of the pandemic.

Read full paper here .

The One Health approach aims to integrate the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, recognizing their interdependence. Although the concept gained prominence during the 2003-2004 SARS outbreak, it has roots in traditional Indigenous practices. By involving multiple sectors and disciplines, One Health seeks to address broad health challenges, including access to clean water, food security, and the impact of climate change, contributing to sustainable development.

Incorporating a gender dimension into One Health reveals how societal norms and power relations create vulnerabilities for women, men, and non-binary individuals. Gender roles influence behaviors that affect human, animal, and environmental health, such as meat consumption, where traditional masculine practices often contribute to environmental degradation. By unmasking these gendered patterns, the approach can foster more sustainable and equitable practices across societies.

A gender-transformative One Health approach goes beyond addressing superficial health issues by challenging entrenched gender norms and power dynamics. It promotes equitable resource distribution, fosters dialogue, and encourages behavioral change to create more egalitarian relationships between men and women. This holistic perspective enables systemic transformations that support both gender equality and healthier, more sustainable interactions with the environment.

Read more on this factsheet by the GIZ Selva Maya programme on this link .

A new study highlights the critical role of addressing gender inequalities in improving both human and environmental health. Authored by Claudia Cataldo, Roberta Masella, and Luca Busani, the research explores how the gender gap—particularly in education and political empowerment—correlates with life expectancy and environmental performance across 155 countries.

The study emphasizes that reducing gender disparities, especially in educational attainment, can positively impact not only societal well-being but also ecosystem vitality and public health. By closing the gender gap, nations could significantly enhance the effectiveness of the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

For a deeper dive into the research and its findings, read the full paper here . 

A recent paper highlights the importance of integrating gender perspectives into the One Health approach to better manage the risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Researchers Claudia Cataldo, Maria Bellenghi, Roberta Masella, and Luca Busani emphasize that gender-specific roles influence individuals' exposure to zoonoses and other infectious diseases.

The paper presents case studies on avian influenza and leptospirosis, showing how women, especially in rural communities, face higher risks due to their domestic and caregiving roles. By incorporating gender analysis, the One Health approach can improve public health interventions and reduce infection risks.

Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100530