Africa CDC’s Post

🚨 The WHO has declared the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other countries in Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). With over 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of clade 1b reported in the past month, it's crucial to act swiftly and accurately. Zybio’s Molaccu Monkeypox Virus qPCR Detection Kit offers a reliable solution for the in vitro qualitative detection of monkeypox virus DNA. With results in just around 1 hour and a sensitivity of up to 200 copies/mL, our kit ensures high accuracy in detecting the virus, even in patients with symptoms like fever, rashes, and lesions. Plus, our UNG-dUTP anti-contamination design minimizes the risk of cross-contamination, ensuring trustworthy results. At Zybio, we are committed to supporting global public health by continuously improving our technologies and products. Together, we can contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. Learn more about how we're making a difference: www.zybio.com #PublicHealth #Monkeypox #PCRDetection #GlobalHealth #Zybio #InfectiousDiseases

Neglected tropical diseases (#NTDs) are a group of 21 parasitic, viral, and bacterial infectious diseases impacting 1 in 5 people, yet rarely seen in high-income countries. This #WorldNTDDay, learn about our partners in this fight, The END Fund, The Reaching the Last Mile Fund, and Sightsavers. The End Fund works to eliminate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, and Rwanda. "The elimination of NTDs is not only in sight, but possible within our lifetimes,” said Alan McCormick of The END Fund and Legatum. Sightsavers is focused on banishing trachoma, which can cause blindness, from Zambia by December 2025. The organization is helping Zambia’s Ministry of Health to eliminate the disease in 33 trachoma-endemic districts and consign the disease to the history books. Learn more about our work to #BeatNTDs and #UniteActEliminate here: https://lnkd.in/e3VBpWGn

Did you know that mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first discovered in 1958 in Denmark in monkeys kept for research? The first reported human case was a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. This was a time when major global efforts were underway to eradicate smallpox, which was eventually successful. During that period, attention was focused on smallpox, leading to a lack of awareness about mpox. As a result, mpox began spreading in regions like Central, East, and West Africa. In 2003, the disease made headlines in the United States due to an outbreak linked to imported wild animals. Since then, mpox has claimed lives in various countries. The global outbreak of mpox began in 2022, emphasizing the ongoing threat of this virus. While the number of cases in India remains relatively low, it is crucial to stay vigilant and informed. Awareness and preventive measures are key to managing and preventing the spread of mpox effectively. The preferred laboratory test for mpox is the detection of viral DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Understanding and awareness are crucial in managing and preventing the spread of mpox. #Mpox #Monkeypox #GlobalHealth #InfectiousDiseases #PublicHealthAwareness #DiseasePrevention #Healthcare #ViralInfections #Diagnostics #PCRTesting #HealthEducation #StayVigilant #health #futurism

Dr Iago Pérez Fernández and Professor Sarah Sparrow are working on a statistical climatology project supported by DART and funded by the Wellcome Trust. The project aims to develop an early warning system for outbreaks of dengue in Vietnam. “Dengue is a potentially life-threatening disease that spreads very fast,” Iago says. “In fact it is one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral infections in the world today. This is particularly important in some regions, like Vietnam, where dengue incidence can overwhelm the healthcare system, and even if it is not usually dangerous, sometimes it can develop into severe dengue, which could be life-threatening.” "We are aiming to use weather data to see in which areas the mosquito populations will be able to develop and thrive. After the work is completed, we should know how far ahead we can predict these weather conditions. We then combine these with past observations to assess areas in which to expect a dengue outbreak in the near future. Find out more https://lnkd.in/ekKuncYT

“Malaria is a preventable, curable disease we know we can beat, because many countries have already done so.” The words of Peter Sands, Executive Director of The Global Fund resonate with the mission of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation: a world free of #tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases! Today is #WorldMalariaDay. More than ever before, we must support countries to revitalize and sustain the fight against #malaria – to provide better and more equitable access to all health services, increase funding and invest in new approaches and innovations to #EndMalaria. 📰 Read here the story of Júlia Lúis, a Community Health Worker in Mozambique: https://lnkd.in/eijY9gck #SafeFromMalaria

CLINICAL DEFINITION OF MONKEYPOX!. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus. Clinically, it presents with symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy, and a characteristic rash that evolves through several stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. The severity of the disease can vary, and it is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals or individuals. EXPLANATION OF MONKEYPOX Overview First identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, monkeypox is mainly associated with rodent species in Central and West Africa. It was recognized as a human disease for the first time in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in various region......Seemore

Today is World Mosquito Day, an annual day of recognition for the impact that mosquitoes, and the diseases they carry, have on people worldwide. NIAID conducts and supports a diverse portfolio of research on malaria, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and many other mosquito-borne diseases, as well as on the mosquitoes themselves. Learn about how one NIAID-supported lab is uncovering the secrets of mosquito metabolism, in search of new ways to stop the spread of disease: https://go.nih.gov/fI6ucnK

New report highlights progress and challenges in fighting neglected tropical diseases in Francophone countries. A new report 'Advancing the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Francophone Countries: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward for #SustainableAction' was released that assesses the collective #burden and #progress fighting NTDs in Francophone countries on 3rd October 2024. This is developed in #collaboration between African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Speak Up Africa, and Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, the report serves as a powerful #advocacytool to raise awareness about the ongoing burden of #NTDs in Francophone countries, where some of the world’s most #vulnerable populations are concentrated. The report highlights the unique opportunities within the Francophonie to leverage linguistic, cultural, and historical ties for collective action and cross-border collaboration to #combatNTDs more effectively. To read more and download, click: https://lnkd.in/dyCyTEzM #EndNTDs #BeatNTDs #100percentcommitted #NTDsAwareness #leavenoonebehind

ICYMI: We wrote about some ongoing work in multi-lateral collaboration for health security in West (+ Central) Africa. If Africa and the world most remain secure, we have to ensure that a regional lynchpin like Nigeria is able to effectively coordinate with the countries in its 'epidemiological gravity well' to deploy effective early warning, joint investigation and response systems for disease outbreaks. https://lnkd.in/dXhgVyES

Proactive planning is essential to global public health.