TDR, in collaboration with the WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) and the WHO Regional Office for Africa has conducted a survey in all 47 countries of the WHO African region to assess health system capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to arboviral disease (AVD) outbreaks.
Multiple factors such as urbanization, human travel, deforestation, climate change and livestock movements have been associated with the growing threats due to AVDs in Africa. These include dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika and Rift Valley fever viruses. The survey assessed the existing capacities of the African countries to conduct the surveillance and control of AVDs and the associated vectors. The findings will help to identify existing strengths and weaknesses and suggest possible ways forward as recommended by the Global Vector Control Response (GVCR).
The outcomes of this survey have
confirmed those from a survey conducted in 16 West African countries in 2018. Countries
have some existing capacities for disease surveillance, diagnosis and
notification of cases of major arboviruses, as well as some capacities for
preparedness for disease outbreaks.
However, important capacity gaps were identified for (i) management of cases and severe cases of AVDs, (ii) virological surveillance, (iii) entomological surveillance and control of Aedes vectors and (iv) community sensitization for engagement on activities related to the prevention and control of AVDs. One of the crucial challenges is the weakness of the public health systems for surveillance of arboviruses in humans, vectors and animals to facilitate early detection of outbreak events. In addition, despite the existing capacities identified, cases and severe cases of AVDs might not be managed in all countries in an efficient manner because of the important gaps related to clinical knowledge and infrastructure in this domain.
“To be adequately prepared against arboviral disease emergences and/or epidemics, the African countries should essentially address three recurrent gaps: (i) training and re-training of all staff engaged in surveillance and control of AVDs, (ii) lack of sufficient financial and technical support, and (iii) lack of community awareness on AVDs,” said Dr Chanda Emmanuel, Technical Officer, Vector-Borne Diseases Control, WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Addressing these three recurrent gaps will enable countries to tackle the other main weaknesses. The full report of this survey outlines possible ways to move forward, to be adapted to the local contexts of each country. This document aims to help countries, researchers, international institutions and other stakeholders strengthen health system capacities in African countries. It will also serve as a resource for the WHO Global Arbovirus Initiative, currently in development. The full report will be available in early 2022.
For more information, please contact Dr Corinne Merle, TDR.