# pos

id: cord-016403-id6fjgye
pos: NNP
token:
  http://www.gatesfoundation.org/pressreleases/Pages/child-malnutrition-microbial-cells-study-090331.aspx

lemma:
  http://www.gatesfoundation.org/pressreleases/Pages/child-malnutrition-microbial-cells-study-090331.aspx


id: cord-286548-7or373vf
pos: NNP
token:
  https://stoppneumonia.org/open-letter-to-leaders-of-the-global-coronavirus-response-on-access-to-medical-oxygen/

lemma:
  https://stoppneumonia.org/open-letter-to-leaders-of-the-global-coronavirus-response-on-access-to-medical-oxygen/


id: cord-288403-m6qe57he
pos: NNP
token:
  https://measlesrubellainitiative.org/measles-news/more-than-117-million-children-at-risk-ofmissing-out-on-measles-vaccines-as-covid-19-surges/

lemma:
  https://measlesrubellainitiative.org/measles-news/more-than-117-million-children-at-risk-ofmissing-out-on-measles-vaccines-as-covid-19-surges/


id: cord-016322-dyjpfvvf
pos: NNP
token:
  https://www.kff.org/globalhealth-policy/poll-finding/data-note-americans-views-on-the-u-s-role-in-global-health/.

lemma:
  https://www.kff.org/globalhealth-policy/poll-finding/data-note-americans-views-on-the-u-s-role-in-global-health/.


id: cord-325001-5zd6fydo
pos: NNP
token:
  https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/76435-covid-19predictions-in-africa-using-the-sir-model

lemma:
  https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/76435-covid-19predictions-in-africa-using-the-sir-model


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
pos: VB
token:
  https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/missing-out-onsmall-is-beautiful-the-eus-failure-to-deliv-er-on-policy-commitme-620288

lemma:
  https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/missing-out-onsmall-is-beautiful-the-eus-failure-to-deliv-er-on-policy-commitme-620288


# ent

id: cord-003657-asclastg
type: DISEASE
entity:
  respiratory syncytial virus metapneumovirus influenza virus rhinovirus adenovirus bocavirus parainfluenzavirus coronavirus


id: cord-005233-bm54jqqf
type: LOC
entity:
  the Kilombero Valley Frontier Tanzania Kilombero Valley Integrated Environmental Management Programme The Society for Environmental Exploration People and Plants Working


id: cord-005233-bm54jqqf
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Bendel State Trees of Southern Africa Trees of Southern Africa Cape Town A A Balkema Publishers Fruits for the Future 2 Ber Southampton University of Southampton International Centre for Underutilized Crops Handbook on Human Nutritional Requirements


id: cord-016322-dyjpfvvf
type: CELL_LINE
entity:
  Red Cross and Red Crescent the International Medical Corps Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee The aid contributed to the faster deployment of doctors and nurses


id: cord-311240-o0zyt2vb
type: DNA
entity:
  reference sequence Major recombinant hCoV 19 Pangolin Guangu P4L 2017 Minor parent hCoV 19 B batYunan RaTG13


id: cord-311240-o0zyt2vb
type: PERSON
entity:
  Oluwapamilerin Akinduti Paul Akiniyi Olusola Babatunde Adebiyi Aerege Olumide T Faneye Adedayo Omotayo title


id: cord-009934-f4moopcc
type: DNA
entity:
  Holarctic and Afrotropical regions Diptera Chironomidae Orthocladiinae Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement Afrotropical


id: cord-009934-f4moopcc
type: GGP
entity:
  m p 1 3 2 0 m H y e n a D a m 1 7 0 9 m O l B o l o s a t 2 3 5 8 m N k u g u t e 1 2 2 0 m K i f u r u k a 1 4 0 4 m K a t a l i n 2 3 3 7 m R u t u n d u 3 0 8 0 m B u j u k u 3 9 0 9 m U p p e r K i t a n d a r a 4 0 6 0 m L a r g e H a l l T a r n 4 3 0 0 m H a u s b u r g T a r n 4 3 5 2 m K i b e n g o 9 3 5 m K y


id: cord-022161-quns9b84
type: ORG
entity:
  an Emerging Primary Institution of International Society Annual Convention of the International Studies Association Asia and Global Health Governance Power Principles and Practice


id: cord-011023-eahx37cy
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  The Conundrums of Counselling Women in Violent Intimate Partner Relationships in South Africa Implications for Practice


id: cord-011023-eahx37cy
type: ORG
entity:
  the Rhodes University Psychology Department s Research Projects and Ethics Review Committee Counsellors


id: cord-002757-upwe0cpj
type: CHEBI
entity:
  ketoconazole and systemic miltefosine sulfadiazine flucytosine liposomal amphotericin B azole antifungals


id: cord-002757-upwe0cpj
type: ORG
entity:
  American Thoracic Society Infectious Diseases Society of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


id: cord-002757-upwe0cpj
type: ORG
entity:
  the International Union of Immunological Societies Expert Committee for Primary Immunodeficiency Heterozygous


id: cord-023884-etkhrgxp
type: CELL_LINE
entity:
  malaria WHO HTM MAL 2006 1108 Geneva World Health Organizagtion International travel and health situation as of 1


id: cord-023884-etkhrgxp
type: ORG
entity:
  Brazzaville World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa World Health Organization Guidelines


id: cord-277446-0e6akcjf
type: ORG
entity:
  International Students for Academic Year Ministry of Education of People s Republic of China Interim


id: cord-309587-xc4jaw31
type: ORG
entity:
  Public Health and Social Welfare Tanzania National Parks Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  Schistosomiasis Primer Clinical Review Severe Malaria Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Strategies for Maternal and Neonatal Health in Developing Countries Melioidosis


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  the Treatment of Severe Melioidosis Interventions for Treating Melioidosis Comparison of Imipenem and Ceftazidime as Therapy for Severe Melioidosis Melioidosis Review and Update Septicaemic Melioidosis


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  Diagnostic Laboratory Methods for Identification of Burkholderia Pseudomallei Single Gene Target Bacterial Identification GroEL Gene Sequencing for Discriminating Clinical Isolates of Burkholderia Pseudomallei


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  Acute Organophosphate Pesticide Intoxication Total Fertilizer Production Fertilizer and Pesticides Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  the Developing World Microfluidic Paper Based Analytical Devices A Prototype Point of Use Assay for Measuring Heavy Metal Contamination


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  Rural Zimbabwean Women Geographical Information System and Predictive Risk Maps of Urinary Schistosomiasis


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
type: ORG
entity:
  Africa Medical Device Landscape for Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases in Low Income Countries Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Malaria Point of Care Diagnostics for Global Health Rapid Diagnostic Tests


id: cord-003838-u8zjzqbr
type: DNA
entity:
  unlinked autosomal nuclear introns ACOX2 intron 3 ACOX2 COPS7A intron 4 COPS7A and ROGDI intron 7 ACOX2 COPS7A ROGDI 31 and STAT5A intron 16


id: cord-003838-u8zjzqbr
type: DNA
entity:
  ACOX2 n 220 ML and BI 219 species tree 420 552 bp COPS7A n 220 ML and BI 219 species tree 581 760 bp ROGDI n 219 ML


id: cord-003838-u8zjzqbr
type: GGP
entity:
  lobatus R cf landeri and d strongly supports all the species group assignments made by Csorba et al 2003 with the exception of R deckenii


id: cord-003838-u8zjzqbr
type: ORG
entity:
  Teaching Collections Texas A M University College Station USA Royal Ontario Museum Toronto Canada National Museums


id: cord-016946-p883xjq5
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Introducing Ebola EVD An Unnecessary Surprise date 2017 05 09 journal Coordinating Global Health Policy Responses DOI


id: cord-018239-n7axd9bq
type: CELL_LINE
entity:
  Arabian Peninsula Iran Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates and Yemen But through international travel it can spread worldwide Recently it resulted in some cases in Korea MERS has 37 mortality The disease is transmitted through droplets


id: cord-018239-n7axd9bq
type: GGP
entity:
  allergic reaction 1 55000 vaccine associated neurotropic disease post vaccinal encephalopathy 1 125000 and vaccine associated viscerotropic disease multi organ failure 1 400000


id: cord-025998-1qawjquv
type: DNA
entity:
  Egyptian Aswan High Dam Khalil 1949 Strickland 1982 the Sudanese Gezira Managil Dam Amin 1977 Omer 1978 Teklehaimanot


id: cord-025998-1qawjquv
type: FAC
entity:
  the WHO FAO United Nations Environment Programme UNEP Panel of Experts on Environmental Management for Vector Control


id: cord-025998-1qawjquv
type: ORG
entity:
  United States Distribution of Insecticide Treated Bednets During an Integrated Nationwide Immunization Campaign Togo Pathogenic


id: cord-025998-1qawjquv
type: ORG
entity:
  the Joint WHO FAO UNEP Panel of Experts on Environmental Management for Vector Control PEEM Avaliação


id: cord-269702-20sldbte
type: DNA
entity:
  Congo date 2018 06 14 journal Lancet DOI 10 1016 s0140 6736 18 31326 6 sha 1033a7b4f089ea45374b7764cd685b83ca124705 doc_id 269702 cord_uid 20sldbte nan


id: cord-288403-m6qe57he
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Vaccines for Children in Low and Middle Income Countries United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division Official


id: cord-283812-ocfjj79v
type: DISEASE
entity:
  Nipah virus hantaviruses West Nile virus Ebola virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS CoV Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS CoV


id: cord-283756-ycjzitlk
type: DISEASE
entity:
  henipaviruses in fruit juice lychee pawpaw and mango over three to four days although titres were still detectable after three days There were also large variations


id: cord-269362-pne9qolr
type: LAW
entity:
  Physical Environment Specific Occupational Health Practices and Hazards Specific Infection Control Practices Equipment and Procedures and


id: cord-282073-738h46g0
type: ORG
entity:
  Remote and Rural Areas Through Improved Retention Global Policy Recommendations Geneva World Health Organization Rural


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development United Nations Children s Fund World Food Programme World Health Organization The State of Food Security and Nutrition


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Downturns Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development United Nations Children s Fund World Food Programme World Health Organization The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 Transforming Food Systems for Affordable Healthy Diets How Much Will Global Poverty Increase


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Russia Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Implications of Economic Policy for Food Security A Training Manual Translating the Politics of Food Sovereignty


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: LAW
entity:
  the Green Morocco Plan Agricultural Productivity and Food Security In Food Security and Land Use Change


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  What Is Done and What Can Be Done Multidimensional Determinants of National Food Security in Azerbaijan


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  New Panel Data Stationary Tests with Structural Breaks Modelling the Impact of Fiscal Policy on Non Oil GDP


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Non Linear ARDL Exchange Rate Fluctuation and Economic Growth ARDL Approach Agricultural Expenditure and Economic Growth


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Toda Yamamoto Causality Test Causality between E7 Countries Stock Markets Estimating the Causal Relationship between Electricity Consumption and Industrial Output ARDL Bounds


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Open Markets and Technology Gap Dynamic Causality Testing for EKC Hypothesis Pollution Haven Hypothesis and International Trade


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Shocks Evidence on Education Health and Nutrition Are Export Restrictions an Effective Instrument to Insulate Domestic Prices against Skyrocketing World Market Prices


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
type: ORG
entity:
  Serbia World Agriculture Commodity Policy and Price Variability Implications of Higher Global Food Prices for Poverty in Low Income Countries Economics of Export Taxation


id: cord-298763-u5xn392m
type: CL
entity:
  red and green zone principles This is generally described in a publication by Zhang et al that captured the practice in Wuhan China during the peak period of the outbreak there 14 This is summarized in Figure 1 The definition of the zoning starts at the health facility s main entrance where screening and triaging is thorough to isolate confirmed or suspected cases at the earliest opportunity Red zone operations demand designation of facilities including imaging for the COVID 19 diagnosed or suspected patients A call for national planners and institutional managers is to make sure that every isolation facility has designated imaging units preferably mobile ones stationed within it Radiological staff working within the red zone must be covered with adequate PPE as prescribed by authoritative health organizations 15 We have noted that supply of PPEs


id: cord-298763-u5xn392m
type: ORG
entity:
  the Society of Thoracic Radiology the American College of Radiology and RSNA The Royal College of Radiologists


id: cord-298763-u5xn392m
type: ORG
entity:
  the University of Washington Radiology Department Preparedness for COVID 19 RadiologyScientific Expert Panel Palladium Health Policy Plus National


id: cord-257358-uoek1pba
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  The Rio Political Declaration in the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health WHO Rio de Janeiro Brazil


id: cord-274580-h7sxkqw7
type: ORG
entity:
  Information Office of the State Council of the People s Republic of China Medical and Health Services


id: cord-300605-gozt5aur
type: PROTEIN
entity:
  United Nations Effective early indicators EVD Ebola virus disease HIV AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection


id: cord-305394-wwabxlgr
type: GGP
entity:
  SARS CoV 2 Polymerase preprint Mortality and causes of death in South Africa Findings from death notification Weight gain and integrase inhibitors


id: cord-029728-fwzm6c61
type: ORG
entity:
  the Information Environment Game Framing the Issues Tracking the Strategy Frame in Public Policy News Framing Policy Debates


id: cord-301225-h178zpb3
type: DISEASE
entity:
  hemorrhagic fevers typhoid fever leptospirosis rickettsial infections toxoplasmosis Q fever syphilis psittacosis


id: cord-303933-vb3hygtv
type: GGP
entity:
  HIV AIDS were 1 use of mobile phones and SMS 2 ICTs for up to date HIV management information 3 ICTs for mobilization 4 combination of different ICTs and 5 telephone counselling They also pointed out that the use of modern ICTs is still very limited but that there is huge potential that because institutions and health workers remain reliant on conventional ICTs there is a need to integrate both modern and conventional to get the best results and perhaps most important that changing perceptions and behaviours requires careful planning and patience Similarly Acacia s 2006 2011 prospectus www idrc


id: cord-018639-0g1ov96t
type: ORG
entity:
  United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division Socio


id: cord-287247-vv0zc0gd
type: ORG
entity:
  Strategies for Mitigation and Suppression United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division Introduction


id: cord-287247-vv0zc0gd
type: ORG
entity:
  Contacts FFX Investigation Protocol for Coronavirus Disease 2019 COVID 19 World Health Organization 2020 Operational Considerations


id: cord-017490-p8mbiq2z
type: LAW
entity:
  Food Inspectors 2014 Within the UK the Products of Animal Origin Third Country Imports England Regulations 2006


id: cord-322364-uo49h1ku
type: ORG
entity:
  Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic Air Transportation Challenges to Growth Air Freight A Market Study with Implications for Landlocked Countries


id: cord-303966-z6u3d2ec
type: ORG
entity:
  the Commission on International Development Achieving the Millennium Development Goals Report of a WHO International Study Team Ebola


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
type: DNA
entity:
  Least Developed Country Category Inclusion Graduation and Special Support Measures Purchasing Power Parity Exchange Rates


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
type: CELL_LINE
entity:
  Trade and Development UNCTAD New York United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs UNDESA Population Division Addis Ababa United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UNECA A HRC 44 40 Report


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
type: PROTEIN
entity:
  Coronavirus COVID 19 Emergency Response and Economic Recovery Publisher s Note Springer Nature remains neutral


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
type: ORG
entity:
  the Least Developed Country Category Inclusion Graduation and Special Support Measures Purchasing Power Parity Exchange Rates


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
type: ORG
entity:
  Global Poverty Geneva International Labor Organization ILO International Labor Organization ILO Geneva International Labor Organization ILO World Economic Outlook Global Manufacturing Downturn Rising Trade Barriers World Economic Outlook


id: cord-000808-pxryt8wn
type: ORG
entity:
  the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale Democratic Republic of the Congo Laboratoire National de Santé Publique de Brazzaville Republic


id: cord-309509-ftwpys3y
type: ORG
entity:
  the South African National Institute for Infectious Diseases the Senegalese Institute Pasteur of Dakar


id: cord-329293-jlrzu0wl
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  The Economic Costs of COVID 19 in Sub Saharan Africa Insights from a Simulation Exercise for Ghana Poverty


id: cord-259754-7skgb6eu
type: CELL_TYPE
entity:
  natural habitat 63 64 65 66 Ebola outbreaks among humans have been associated with direct exposure to fruit bats and mortality among other wild animals


id: cord-259754-7skgb6eu
type: EVENT
entity:
  Infectious Diseases of Humans Mathematical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases Model Building Different


id: cord-287949-243xlmep
type: ORG
entity:
  HIV The Different Clinical Characteristics of Corona Virus Disease Cases between Children and Their Families


id: cord-330204-guhrtz1h
type: ORG
entity:
  the World Health Organization the World Organization for Animal Health the Food and Agriculture Organization


id: cord-314205-6d5yloxp
type: GGP
entity:
  growth 2 7 9 16 17 18 Health and medical technology capacity building and transfer exchanges and mutual learning


id: cord-314205-6d5yloxp
type: ORG
entity:
  China Africa Health Development Initiatives Benefits and Implications for Shaping Innovative and Evidence


id: cord-314205-6d5yloxp
type: ORG
entity:
  China Africa Development Cooperation Identity Transformation and System Reconstruction Global Health Governance and Mechanism for China


id: cord-258669-ubw6mdzi
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Will the Higher Income Country Blueprint for COVID 19 Work in Low and Lower Middle Income Countries COVID 19 Increased Risk


id: cord-260565-cdthfl5f
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  Report on Global Surveillance of Epidemic prone Infectious Diseases Types of Surveillance Roles and Responsibilities in Preparedness and Response Development


id: cord-016403-id6fjgye
type: PROTEIN
entity:
  Human Body DOI 10 1007 978 1 4419 7089 3_16 sha e2d5fa70ec4905f73b522630c56253475a0286cd doc_id 16403 cord_uid id6fjgye


id: cord-016403-id6fjgye
type: ORG
entity:
  the Huazhong Agricultural University Institute of Pathogen Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Peking Union


id: cord-325300-wawui0fd
type: ORG
entity:
  the advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the American Academy of Pediatrics the American Academy of Family Physicians


id: cord-325300-wawui0fd
type: ORG
entity:
  Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the American Academy of Pediatrics


id: cord-027859-citynr6c
type: ORG
entity:
  Health Organization Acute Respiratory Infections Geneva World Health Organization Indoor Air Pollution Energy and Health for the Poor Estimate of global


id: cord-027859-citynr6c
type: FAC
entity:
  Africa Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases Geneva World Health Organization Global Comparative Assessments


id: cord-309931-cpzp33b3
type: ORG
entity:
  Need for Abundant Caution in Prophylactic Application of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for Viral Infections


id: cord-345662-vm5btiue
type: GGP
entity:
  Soc Sci DOI 10 1016 j erss 2020 101784 sha 2cfad9dd67889ed702326cbf98d2e3575c0051a8 doc_id 345662 cord_uid vm5btiue Existing socio technical systems tend


id: cord-354590-vipfgvgh
type: GGP
entity:
  blades 0 2 1 5 4 12 5 cm long 2 15 40 50 the length of their flag leaf sheaths rarely longer Panicles 2 5 9


id: cord-023168-cd7adns8
type: ORG
entity:
  Society for the Study of Thalassaemia and Haemoglobinopathies Italian Association for the Study of the Liver Management of chronic


id: cord-023168-cd7adns8
type: ORG
entity:
  Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of Disease Project An Overview of the Mechanisms of HIV Related Thrombocytopenia Role


id: cord-332610-t99l3zii
type: ORG
entity:
  Balance New and Resurgent Infections Prediction Detection and Management of Tomorrow s Epidemics The Changing Face of Disease Implications for Society


id: cord-332610-t99l3zii
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  The Politics of Emerging and Resurgent Infectious Diseases Disease in Evolution Global Changes and Emergence of Infectious Diseases Endocrine Diseases Overview P C Hindmarsh


id: cord-323913-v32c2vda
type: DISEASE
entity:
  diseases of the cardiovascular or pulmonary system diabetes mellitus hemoglobinopathies renal insufficiency


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: CELL_LINE
entity:
  Sahel Oxfam Groundswell International Halving hunger Still Possible Building a Rescue Package to Set the MDGs Back on Track 22 EU Calls Trump s Bluff


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: GGP
entity:
  Nestl e s decade long emphasis on creating shared value which according to the firm reflects our ongoing commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals Nestl e 2020 Undertakings such as the New Alliance and Grow Africa seek to mobilize private funds to overcome public sector disinvestment in the agricultural sector


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: ORG
entity:
  FAO s Guide for Policy and Programmatic Actions at Country Level to Address High Food Prices Maetz et


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: WORK_OF_ART
entity:
  The Global Landscape of Agricultural Trade Better Rules for a Better Future Regulating Private Sector Agricultural Investments


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: ORG
entity:
  IMF Conditionality A Development Injustice European Union Directorate General for External Policies Policy Department


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: ORG
entity:
  the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition Committee on World Food Security Gender Vulnerabilities Food Price Shocks and Social Protection Responses


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: LAW
entity:
  Food Price Crisis Affecting Poor People Oxfam United Nations Industrial Development Organization Closing


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
type: ORG
entity:
  Protecting the Food Insecure in Volatile International Markets Food Reserves and Other Policy Options Canadian Foodgrains Bank Global Food Governance Between Corporate Control


id: cord-353185-aapg75af
type: ORG
entity:
  China Africa Health Development Initiatives Benefits and Implications for Shaping Innovative and Evidenceinformed National Health Policies and Programs


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
type: DNA
entity:
  genome 99 6 99 0 L segment RdRp 99 9 100 0 M segment polyprotein predecessor and 99 7 100 0 S segment


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
type: DNA
entity:
  Kharkov Astrakhan region 95 24 49 31 11 25 73 16 1 1 5 22 18 67 70 508 Volgograd region 380 32 15 15 3 12 63 2 5 411 57 Institute of Virology


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
type: CHEMICAL
entity:
  Astrakhan 1 5 11 13 9 4 37 16 20 5 6 7 10 7 1 152 Volgograd 0 18 9 3 3 2 6 16 30 7 2 3 0 0 6 105 Dagestan 0 6 10 7 3 1 3 3 2 2 1 3 2 0 2 Rostov 27 0 5 7 9 9


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
type: DISEASE
entity:
  acute diseases of the nervous system serous meningitis encephalomeningitis arachnoiditis acute encephalomyelitis


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
type: CHEMICAL
entity:
  influenza A virus Orthomyxoviridae Influenza A virus Dhori virus Orthomyxoviridae Thogotovirus and Newcastle s disease virus Paromyxoviridae Avulavirus


# url

id: cord-016322-dyjpfvvf
domain: www.kff.org
url:
  http://www.kff.org/globalhealth-policy/poll-finding/data-note-americans-views-on-the-u-s-role-in-global-health/


id: cord-288403-m6qe57he
domain: measlesrubellainitiative.org
url:
  http://measlesrubellainitiative.org/measles-news/more-than-117-million-children-at-risk-ofmissing-out-on-measles-vaccines-as-covid-19-surges/


id: cord-286548-7or373vf
domain: stoppneumonia.org
url:
  http://stoppneumonia.org/open-letter-to-leaders-of-the-global-coronavirus-response-on-access-to-medical-oxygen/


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
domain: policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk
url:
  http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/missing-out-onsmall-is-beautiful-the-eus-failure-to-deliv-er-on-policy-commitme-620288


id: cord-325001-5zd6fydo
domain: www.mathworks.com
url:
  http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/76435-covid-19predictions-in-africa-using-the-sir-model


# bib

id: cord-000808-pxryt8wn
author: Leroy, Eric
date: 2012-09-13
txt: ./txt/cord-000808-pxryt8wn.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-000808-pxryt8wn.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499821/
doi: 10.3390/v4091592
summary:
  Since the reemergence of Ebola virus in Central Africa, the CIRMF "Emerging Viral Disease Unit" developed diagnostic tools and epidemiologic strategies and transfers of such technology to support the response of the National Public Health System and the World Health Organization to epidemics of Ebola virus disease. As a National reference laboratory, CIRMF has the following roles: diagnosis of suspected cases during outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers or severe clinical infectious syndromes; development of new methods for diagnosing such infections; surveillance of animal fatalities in reservoir or intermediate hosts; and intervention during outbreaks of unknown etiology. The Emerging Viral Diseases Unit, CIRMF, proposes forming a research partnership to study infectious diseases transmitted by animals of the tropical rain forests regions of Equatorial Africa.

title:
  Filovirus Research in Gabon and Equatorial Africa: The Experience of a Research Center in the Heart of Africa

abstract:
  Health research programs targeting the population of Gabon and Equatorial Africa at the International Center for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Gabon, have evolved during the years since its inception in 1979 in accordance with emerging diseases. Since the reemergence of Ebola virus in Central Africa, the CIRMF “Emerging Viral Disease Unit” developed diagnostic tools and epidemiologic strategies and transfers of such technology to support the response of the National Public Health System and the World Health Organization to epidemics of Ebola virus disease. The Unit carries out a unique investigation program on the natural history of the filoviruses, emergence of epidemics, and Ebola virus pathogenesis. In addition, academic training is provided at all levels to regional and international students covering emerging conditions (host factors, molecular biology, genetics) that favor the spread of viral diseases.


id: cord-001401-f29y8vh5
title: Multiyear Persistence of 2 Pandemic A/H1N1 Influenza Virus Lineages in West Africa
author: Nelson, Martha I.
date: 2014-07-01
txt: ./txt/cord-001401-f29y8vh5.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-001401-f29y8vh5.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4162001/
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu047
summary:
  Increased genetic sequencing of African A/H1N1 pandemic influenza viruses during 2009-2013 revealed multiyear persistence of 2 viral lineages within West Africa, raising questions about the roles of reduced air traffic and the asynchrony of seasonal influenza epidemics among West African countries in the evolution of independent lineages. Increased genetic sequencing of African A/H1N1 pandemic influenza viruses during 2009-2013 revealed multiyear persistence of 2 viral lineages within West Africa, raising questions about the roles of reduced air traffic and the asynchrony of seasonal influenza epidemics among West African countries in the evolution of independent lineages. To elucidate the evolution of influenza viruses in Africa, we conducted a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of global pH1N1 influenza virus diversity during 2009-2013, including 299 pH1N1 HA sequences collected in 18 African countries. Our analysis identified 2 well-supported clades of pH1N1 viruses that each persisted for >1.5 years in West Africa, highlighting the need to further understand the ecology and evolution of IAVs in this understudied and relatively geographically isolated region.

abstract:
  Our understanding of the global ecology of influenza viruses is impeded by historically low levels of viral surveillance in Africa. Increased genetic sequencing of African A/H1N1 pandemic influenza viruses during 2009–2013 revealed multiyear persistence of 2 viral lineages within West Africa, raising questions about the roles of reduced air traffic and the asynchrony of seasonal influenza epidemics among West African countries in the evolution of independent lineages. The potential for novel influenza virus lineages to evolve within Africa warrants intensified influenza surveillance in Africa and other understudied areas.


id: cord-002757-upwe0cpj
author: Sullivan, Kathleen E.
date: 2017-08-07
txt: ./txt/cord-002757-upwe0cpj.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-002757-upwe0cpj.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5693703/
doi: 10.1007/s10875-017-0426-2
summary:
  The first section addresses general considerations, the second section profiles specific infections organized according to mechanism of transmission, and the third section focuses on unique phenotypes and unique susceptibilities in patients with PIDDs. This review does not address most parasitic diseases. In developing countries where polio is still endemic and oral polio vaccine is essential for eradicating the disease, it is of utmost importance that all PIDD patients and family members should not receive live oral polio (OPV) because of the reported prolonged excretion of the virus for months and even years [24] . As for host factors, although severe and fatal cases have been described in healthy immunocompetent hosts [129, 130] , there is evidence to suggest that children under the age of 10 [130] and immunocompromised hosts either secondary to hematologic malignancies, immunosuppressant treatment for organ transplantation, or HIV infection are at a greater risk to develop more severe disease with higher case fatality rates [131, 132] .

title:
  Emerging Infections and Pertinent Infections Related to Travel for Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies

abstract:
  In today’s global economy and affordable vacation travel, it is increasingly important that visitors to another country and their physician be familiar with emerging infections, infections unique to a specific geographic region, and risks related to the process of travel. This is never more important than for patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD). A recent review addressing common causes of fever in travelers provides important information for the general population Thwaites and Day (N Engl J Med 376:548-560, 2017). This review covers critical infectious and management concerns specifically related to travel for patients with PIDD. This review will discuss the context of the changing landscape of infections, highlight specific infections of concern, and profile distinct infection phenotypes in patients who are immune compromised. The organization of this review will address the environment driving emerging infections and several concerns unique to patients with PIDD. The first section addresses general considerations, the second section profiles specific infections organized according to mechanism of transmission, and the third section focuses on unique phenotypes and unique susceptibilities in patients with PIDDs. This review does not address most parasitic diseases. Reference tables provide easily accessible information on a broader range of infections than is described in the text.


id: cord-002885-dhdyxnr3
author: Den Boon, Saskia
date: 2018-03-09
txt: ./txt/cord-002885-dhdyxnr3.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-002885-dhdyxnr3.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5820616/
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.12922.2
summary:
  The objective of this study was to understand frontline physicians'' and nurses'' perspectives about personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa and to incorporate these findings into the development process of a WHO rapid advice guideline. The specific objectives were to understand and describe frontline physician and nurses'' perspectives about PPE use, while providing direct care for EVD patients in the unprecedented conditions of the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa and to incorporate these findings into the rapid advice guideline development process. The findings of the survey were presented at the guideline development meeting and incorporated into evidence-to-decision tables (Supplementary File 2) to inform the formulation of recommendations for PPE components in the context of an EVD outbreak. We developed the study protocol, obtained WHO ethics approval, contacted the participants, delivered the survey, analysed the data, and presented the findings as part of the evidence-to-decision tables at the expert panel meeting where the recommendations were formulated in a period of 8 weeks.

title:
  Incorporating health workers’ perspectives into a WHO guideline on personal protective equipment developed during an Ebola virus disease outbreak

abstract:
  Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) health facility transmission can result in infection and death of health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports countries in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, which often require developing new guidance in short timelines with scarce evidence. The objective of this study was to understand frontline physicians’ and nurses’ perspectives about personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa and to incorporate these findings into the development process of a WHO rapid advice guideline. Methods : We surveyed frontline physicians and nurses deployed to West Africa between March and September of 2014. Results: We developed the protocol, obtained ethics approval, delivered the survey, analysed the data and presented the findings as part of the evidence-to-decision tables at the expert panel meeting where the recommendations were formulated within eight weeks. Forty-four physicians and nurses responded to the survey. They generally felt at low or extremely low risk of virus transmission with all types of PPE used. Eye protection reduced the ability to provide care, mainly due to impaired visibility because of fogging. Heat and dehydration were a major issue for 76% of the participants using goggles and for 64% using a hood. Both gowns and coveralls were associated with significant heat stress and dehydration. Most participants (59%) were very confident that they were using PPE correctly. Conclusion : Our study demonstrated that it was possible to incorporate primary data on end-users’ preferences into a rapid advice guideline for a public health emergency in difficult field conditions. Health workers perceived a balance between transmission protection and ability to care for patients effectively while wearing PPE. These findings were used by the guideline development expert panel to formulate WHO recommendations on PPE for frontline providers caring for EVD patients in outbreak conditions.


id: cord-003657-asclastg
author: Kenmoe, Sebastien
date: 2019-05-20
txt: ./txt/cord-003657-asclastg.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-003657-asclastg.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528219/
doi: 10.1186/s13643-019-1037-1
summary:
  title: Epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in people with acute respiratory tract infections in Africa: the VARIAFRICA systematic review and meta-analysis protocol We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and factors associated with respiratory viral infection in people of all ages with ARTI residing in Africa. This systematic review considered only data from sub-Saharan Africa did not perform a meta-analysis and quality assessment of the included articles. To address this gap of knowledge, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Viral Aetiology of Acute Respiratory Infections in Africa (VAR-IAFRICA) on people of all age groups to describe the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections (human respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, influenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, bocavirus, parainfluenzavirus, coronavirus, and enterovirus). To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first systematic review and meta-analysis that will report the prevalence of viral aetiologies of ARTI in Africa including children and

title:
  Epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in people with acute respiratory tract infections in Africa: the VARIAFRICA systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

abstract:
  INTRODUCTION: Better characterisation of the epidemiological data on respiratory viral infections among people with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) can help to implement efficient strategies to curb the burden of ARTI in Africa. We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and factors associated with respiratory viral infection in people of all ages with ARTI residing in Africa. METHODS: This work will include cross-sectional studies published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017, without any language restriction, on populations residing in African countries. We will consider studies that reported the prevalence of respiratory viruses in people with ARTI confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction technique. We will be searching PubMed, Embase, African Journals Online, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus. The selection of relevant studies, extraction of data, and evaluation of the quality of the articles will be carried out independently by two review authors, and the discrepancies will be resolved by consensus or intervention of a third author. The heterogeneity of the studies will be assessed using the χ(2) test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. Publication bias will be assessed by the Egger test. Studies will be pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis model. Results will be presented by age group and sub-region of Africa. Using meta-regression models, we will identify factors associated with viral infections in people with ARTI. DISCUSSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis is based on published data and therefore does not require ethical approval. This work will serve as a basis for the development of strategies for prevention and control ARTI in Africa and will also serve to identify data gaps and guide future investigations. The final report will be published in peer-reviewed journals as a scientific article and presented in workshops, conferences, and scientific conferences. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42018088261. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13643-019-1037-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


id: cord-003838-u8zjzqbr
author: Demos, Terrence C.
date: 2019-08-22
txt: ./txt/cord-003838-u8zjzqbr.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-003838-u8zjzqbr.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6704657/
doi: 10.1186/s12862-019-1485-1
summary:
  CONCLUSIONS: Multiple well-supported and deeply divergent lineages were resolved in each of the six African Rhinolophus species groups analyzed, suggesting as many as 12 undescribed cryptic species; these include several instances of sympatry among close relatives. The species limits of morphologically conservative or cryptic lineages of bats have been greatly clarified by an integrative approach using multi-locus genetic delimitation methods as a starting point for identifying candidate species and then testing them using additional, corroborative data from behavioral, morphological, distributional, and/or ecological information ( [4] , cf. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) inferred trees with similar topologies; the ML gene tree is shown for the 351 sequence cyt-b alignment of 74 Rhinolophus species/clades ( Fig. 3 ; see also Additional file 4 for the phylogeny with all 351 terminals labeled). denti/ simulator; and finally 8 of 8 lineages in the fumigatus group, including three possibly new species as well as support for the recent recognition of R.

title:
  Molecular phylogenetics of the African horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae): expanded geographic and taxonomic sampling of the Afrotropics

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: The Old World insectivorous bat genus Rhinolophus is highly speciose. Over the last 15 years, the number of its recognized species has grown from 77 to 106, but knowledge of their interrelationships has not kept pace. Species limits and phylogenetic relationships of this morphologically conservative group remain problematic due both to poor sampling across the Afrotropics and to repeated instances of mitochondrial-nuclear discordance. Recent intensive surveys in East Africa and neighboring regions, coupled with parallel studies by others in West Africa and in Southern Africa, offer a new basis for understanding its evolutionary history. RESULTS: We investigated phylogenetic relationships and intraspecific genetic variation in the Afro-Palearctic clade of Rhinolophidae using broad sampling. We sequenced mitochondrial cytochrome-b (1140 bp) and four independent and informative nuclear introns (2611 bp) for 213 individuals and incorporated sequence data from 210 additional individuals on GenBank that together represent 24 of the 33 currently recognized Afrotropical Rhinolophus species. We addressed the widespread occurrence of mito-nuclear discordance in Rhinolophus by inferring concatenated and species tree phylogenies using only the nuclear data. Well resolved mitochondrial, concatenated nuclear, and species trees revealed phylogenetic relationships and population structure of the Afrotropical species and species groups. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple well-supported and deeply divergent lineages were resolved in each of the six African Rhinolophus species groups analyzed, suggesting as many as 12 undescribed cryptic species; these include several instances of sympatry among close relatives. Coalescent lineage delimitation offered support for new undescribed lineages in four of the six African groups in this study. On the other hand, two to five currently recognized species may be invalid based on combined mitochondrial and/or nuclear phylogenetic analyses. Validation of these cryptic lineages as species and formal relegation of current names to synonymy will require integrative taxonomic assessments involving morphology, ecology, acoustics, distribution, and behavior. The resulting phylogenetic framework offers a powerful basis for addressing questions regarding their ecology and evolution. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-019-1485-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


id: cord-005233-bm54jqqf
title: Ziziphus mucronata: an underutilized traditional medicinal plant in Africa
author: Mokgolodi, Neo C.
date: 2011-08-06
txt: ./txt/cord-005233-bm54jqqf.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-005233-bm54jqqf.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7089157/
doi: 10.1007/s11632-011-0309-1
summary:
  title: Ziziphus mucronata: an underutilized traditional medicinal plant in Africa mauritiana are currently the most important, especially in China and India where they are cultivated and exploited for medicinal use and their edible fruits. Traditional remedies made from these plants play an important role in maintaining the health of 70%-80% of people in rural and indigenous communities throughout Africa (Cunningham, 1993) . One of the medicinal plants used in China to cure diseases is Ziziphus jujuba Mill. mucronata stem, they give this traditional medicinal plant its antibacterial properties (Tan and Zhou, 2006) . Species in the genus Ziziphus are increasingly becoming popular due to their outstanding advantages, such as early bearing, high fruit yield, rich nutrition, multiple uses, long flowering season and high tolerance to drought and barren soils (International Centre for Underutilized Crops, 2001; Liu and Zhao, 2009 ). mucronata, several other Ziziphus species are exploited for medicinal use in other parts of the world as well.

abstract:
  In Africa, rural people depend heavily, if not exclusively, on medicinal plants and indigenous healthcare knowledge to meet their medical needs. Over 80000 flowering plant species are used medicinally worldwide. Amongst them are the underutilized Ziziphus species in the Rhamnaceae family. In terms of abundance and economic value, Z. jujuba and Z. mauritiana are currently the most important, especially in China and India where they are cultivated and exploited for medicinal use and their edible fruits. We examined a related common species widely distributed in Africa, Z. mucronata, whose economic value has not, as yet, been explored. Local people in various African countries use its different parts to cure a large number of diseases, many of which are similar to those treated with Z. jujuba and Z. mauritiana. Several studies have shown that Z. mucronata has cyclopeptide alkaloids, i.e., mucronines F, G and H, with antibacterial properties. Conservation strategies to sustain and maximize the benefits of Z. mucronata to people are proposed.


id: cord-007701-23847ggw
title: Mass Vaccination and Surveillance/Containment in the Eradication of Smallpox
author: Lane, J. M.
date: 2006
txt: ./txt/cord-007701-23847ggw.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-007701-23847ggw.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120753/
doi: 10.1007/3-540-36583-4_2
summary:
  Early observations in West Africa, bolstered by later data from Indonesia and the Asian subcontinent, showed that smallpox did not spread rapidly, and outbreaks could be quickly controlled by isolation of patients and vaccination of their contacts. The emphasis therefore shifted to active searches to find cases, coupled with contact tracing, rigorous isolation of patients, and vaccination and surveillance of contacts to contain outbreaks. Foege and his colleagues reasoned that the relatively slow spread of smallpox, with the ease of aborting outbreaks by vaccination of contacts, made the disease susceptible to control by actively searching for cases and concentrating on vaccinating their household and village contacts. He believed that if outbreaks could be found during the West African seasonal low in September through January, and chains of transmission broken by patient isolation and/or vaccination of close contacts, a large decrease in the seasonal high from February through June would result from a fairly small effort.

abstract:
  The Smallpox Eradication Program, initiated by the WHO in 1966, was originally based on mass vaccination. The program emphasized surveillance from the beginning, largely to track the success of the program and further our understanding of the epidemiology of the disease. Early observations in West Africa, bolstered by later data from Indonesia and the Asian subcontinent, showed that smallpox did not spread rapidly, and outbreaks could be quickly controlled by isolation of patients and vaccination of their contacts. Contacts were usually easy to find because transmission of smallpox usually required prolonged face-to-face contact. The emphasis therefore shifted to active searches to find cases, coupled with contact tracing, rigorous isolation of patients, and vaccination and surveillance of contacts to contain outbreaks. This shift away from mass vaccination resulted in an acceleration of the program’s success.


id: cord-009765-v20r44lr
title: Medical Devices for Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review and Directions for Development
author: Vasan, Aditya
date: 2020-03-01
txt: ./txt/cord-009765-v20r44lr.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-009765-v20r44lr.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7164506/
doi: 10.1115/1.4045910
summary:
  Specifically, this review focuses on diseases prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia: melioidosis, infant and maternal mortality, schistosomiasis, and heavy metal and pesticide poisoning. Keywords used to identify diseases and technologies included, but were not limited to, the following terms: medical devices, low-cost design, global health, low-income countries, low-and middle-income countries, pointof-care diagnostics, neglected tropical diseases (NTD), neonatal mortality. The number of people worldwide affected by heavy metal poisoning is difficult to estimate due to the varying sources of poisoning but, given that incidents like the one in Flint that occurred in a developed country with safeguards in place to prevent lead poisoning, there is a need to estimate atmospheric and water-based heavy metal exposure risks across the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3 Â 10 6 severe pesticide poisonings occur annually and that at least 300,000 people die as a result of exposure, with 99% of these cases being from LMICs [51] .

abstract:
  The development of diagnostics and medical devices has historically been concentrated in high-income countries, despite a significant need to expand healthcare services to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Poor quality healthcare extends beyond LMIC to underserved communities in developed countries. This paper reviews diseases and conditions that have not received much attention in the past despite imposing a significant burden on healthcare systems in these circumstances. We review the underlying mechanism of action of these conditions and current technology in use for diagnosis or surgical intervention. We aim to identify areas for technological development and review policy considerations that will enable real-world adoption. Specifically, this review focuses on diseases prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia: melioidosis, infant and maternal mortality, schistosomiasis, and heavy metal and pesticide poisoning. Our aim with this review is to identify problems facing the world that require the attention of the medical device community and provide recommendations for research directions for groups interested in this field.


id: cord-009934-f4moopcc
author: Eggermont, Hilde
date: 2006-09-18
txt: ./txt/cord-009934-f4moopcc.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-009934-f4moopcc.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7167042/
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01590.x
summary:
  Results were compared with similar faunal data from 68 East African lakes at low and middle elevation (750–2760 m), and with literature records of Chironomidae species distribution in sub‐Saharan Africa, the Palaearctic region and elsewhere. Saether (1990) recognized four African species of Limnophyes, of which Limnophyes bubo Saether, Limnophyes lobiscus Saether and Limnophyes minimus (Meigen) appear to be restricted to high-elevation sites in East Africa (including the Rwenzori and Mount Kenya; Saether, 1990) , whereas Limnophyes natalensis (Kieffer) is also widely distributed in lowland lakes and streams throughout eastern and southern Africa. Through study of recent death assemblages of larval remains in surface sediments, we found that the chironomid fauna of high-elevation (>3000 m a.s.l.) lakes and tarns on glaciated mountains of equatorial East Africa is diverse in species and highly distinct from that of low-and mid-elevation African lakes.

title:
  ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Taxonomy and diversity of Afroalpine Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) on Mount Kenya and the Rwenzori Mountains, East Africa

abstract:
  Aim Anthropogenic climate change is expected to result in the complete loss of glaciers from the high mountains of tropical Africa, with profound impacts on the hydrology and ecology of unique tropical cold‐water lakes located downstream from them. This study examines the biodiversity of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) communities in these scarce Afroalpine lake systems, in order to determine their uniqueness in relation to lowland African lakes and alpine lakes in temperate regions, and to evaluate the potential of Afroalpine Chironomidae as biological indicators to monitor future changes in the ecological integrity of their habitat. Location Mount Kenya (Kenya) and Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda). Methods The species composition of Afroalpine chironomid communities was assessed using recent larval death assemblages extracted from the surface sediments of 11 high‐mountain lakes between 2900 and 4575 m. Results were compared with similar faunal data from 68 East African lakes at low and middle elevation (750–2760 m), and with literature records of Chironomidae species distribution in sub‐Saharan Africa, the Palaearctic region and elsewhere. All recovered taxa were fully described and illustrated. Results The 11‐lake analysis yielded 1744 subfossil chironomid larvae belonging to 16 distinct taxa of full‐grown larvae, and three taxa of less differentiated juveniles. Eleven of these 16 are not known to occur in African lakes at lower elevation, and eight taxa (or 50% of total species richness) appear restricted to the specific habitat of cold lakes above 3900 m, where night‐time freezing is frequent year‐round. The faunal transition zone coincides broadly with the Ericaceous zone of terrestrial vegetation (c. 3000–4000 m). Snowline depression during the Quaternary ice ages must have facilitated dispersion of cold‐stenothermous species among the high mountains of equatorial East Africa, but less so from or to the Palaearctic region via the Ethiopian highlands. Main conclusions Chironomid communities in glacier‐fed lakes on Africa's highest mountains are highly distinct from those of lowland African lakes, and potentially unique on a continental scale. By virtue of excellent preservation and their spatial and temporal integration of local community dynamics, chironomid larval death assemblages extracted from surface sediments are powerful biological indicators for monitoring the hydrological and ecological changes associated with the current retreat and loss of Africa's glaciers.


id: cord-011023-eahx37cy
author: Fleischack, Anne
date: 2019-06-08
txt: ./txt/cord-011023-eahx37cy.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-011023-eahx37cy.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7223381/
doi: 10.1007/s10447-019-09384-8
summary:
  Local and international research has shown that counselling for women who have experienced relationships characterised by intimate partner violence (IPV) can have many positive effects. These include: viewing IPV relationships as developing in stages, and modelling therapy based on this perspective; a client-centred approach in which the counsellor facilitates the client in choosing solutions and actions that are compatible and appropriate for themselves (the client) (McHattie 2011); and a competency framework that focuses on counselling skills, specialist knowledge and specific personal characteristics needed for working with this client group (Roddy and Gabriel 2019) . Given the high level of gender-based violence in many countries (including South Africa, the site of this study), and that counsellors tend to be women, how the counsellors experience the counselling encounter in regard to IPV is an important aspect of understanding such counselling. The micro-narratives the counsellors related of their experiences of counselling women in IPV relationships, and the associated subject positions, point to a number of conundrums or double binds.

title:
  The Conundrums of Counselling Women in Violent Intimate Partner Relationships in South Africa: Implications for Practice

abstract:
  Little research focuses on how counsellors experience counselling encounters concerning intimate partner violence. This study reports on narrative research conducted with eight South African non-governmental organisation counsellors. Participants spoke of creating productive and caring counselling dynamics, and providing non-directive counselling. However, they also indicated providing moral guidance, particularly in cases where pregnancy or children were involved. Success was viewed rather narrowly as the women leaving the relationship, setting up ‘all-or-nothing’ outcomes. Such ‘success’ led to counsellor happiness, whilst failure in this regard led to counsellors experiencing anger and burn-out. We conclude that the conundrums evident in these data are grounded in patriarchal systems, limiting the efficacy of counselling based on a bondage and deliverance narrative. Implications for practice and training are also outlined.


id: cord-011855-0vetk6jd
author: Shayo, Elizabeth
date: 2020-07-06
txt: ./txt/cord-011855-0vetk6jd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-011855-0vetk6jd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7342469/
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002193
abstract: nan
summary:
  In particular, we consider what should the ethical approach be for a research programme in terms of provision of a steady and sustainable supply of medicines for patients with diabetes and hypertension when alternative affordable and accessible supplies are unavailable? ► Here we discuss what should the ethical approach be for a research programme in terms of provision of a steady and sustainable supply of medicines for patients with diabetes and hypertension. As well as the issue of inequity, observing people living with diabetes and hypertension unable to access medicines, which are both low-cost and effective, could break the ethical principle of beneficence, which states that researchers should have the welfare of the participants as a goal. Moreover, there are clear ethical issues if health facilities procure medicines to support a research programme without ensuring that this supply will be maintained after the study.

title:
  Ethical issues in intervention studies on the prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa


id: cord-011903-zqt6vu6d
author: Duby, Zoe
date: 2020-07-18
txt: ./txt/cord-011903-zqt6vu6d.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-011903-zqt6vu6d.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7368608/
doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02974-3
summary:
  Poor mental health, including depressive disorders and stress, contributes significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa, and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and is also associated with negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes for women, such as ''unintended'' or early pregnancy, and increased risk behaviours for HIV [1] [2] [3] . In the accounts of AGYW, poor mental health, including depression and suicidal risk were linked to sexual/ romantic relationship challenges, early pregnancy and child-bearing, parenting responsibilities, experiences of violence/abuse, HIV status, and lack of emotional support. Building on previous research that has found associations between depressive symptoms and psychological distress related to pregnancy, combined with a lack of social support amongst South African women [16] , our findings provide rich descriptive data on the lived reality of the interconnected psychosocial risks including stress, emotional isolation, feelings of depression and suicidal ideation, with ''unintended'' pregnancy and HIV that AGYW in South Africa face, from their own perspectives.

title:
  “As a Young Pregnant Girl… The Challenges You Face”: Exploring the Intersection Between Mental Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health Amongst Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

abstract:
  In South Africa, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are at risk of poor mental health, HIV infection and early pregnancy. Poor mental health in AGYW is associated with increased sexual risk behaviours, and impeded HIV testing and care. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, we explored subjective experiences of mental health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) amongst 237 AGYW aged 15–24 years in five South African districts. Respondents shared narratives of stress, emotional isolation, feelings of depression, and suicidal ideation, interconnected with HIV, pregnancy and violence in relationships. Findings show that AGYW in South Africa face a range of mental health stressors and lack sufficient support, which intersect with SRH challenges to heighten their vulnerability. Framed within the syndemic theory, our findings suggest that South African AGYW’s vulnerability towards early pregnancy, HIV infection and poor mental health are bidirectional and interconnected. Considering the overlaps and interactions between mental health and SRH amongst AGYW, it is critical that mental health components are integrated into SRH interventions.


id: cord-016057-efc6msf4
title: Severe Malaria: Manifestations, diagnosis, chemotherapy, and management of severe malaria in adults
author: Blumberg, Lucille
date: 2005
txt: ./txt/cord-016057-efc6msf4.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120212/
doi: 10.1007/0-387-23380-6_1
abstract: nan
summary:
  In a confidential inquiry into malaria deaths in an area of South Africa with limited tertiary care facilities, major contributing factors were delays in diagnosis and initiation of adequate therapy, failure to administer the correct antimalarial at the correct dosage and frequency, inadequate monitoring of severity indicators in complicated cases, and the suboptimal management of complications (6). Some patients with severe malaria may have a negative smear due to sequestration of parasitised red blood cells, and a decision to treat with antimalarial chemotherapy should be considered if the index of suspicion is very high. The choice of chemotherapy for malaria is dependent on the severity of disease, the known or suspected resistance pattern of the parasite in the area where the malaria infection was acquired, the species of parasite, and patient profile (age, pregnancy, comorbidity, allergies, and medications, including any antimalarials recently administered). Acute renal failure in patients with severe falciparum malaria


id: cord-016322-dyjpfvvf
title: Foreign Aid and Humanitarian Assistance
author: Gardner, Anthony Luzzatto
date: 2019-12-10
txt: ./txt/cord-016322-dyjpfvvf.txt
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120568/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-29966-8_12
summary:
  We are committed to develop and implement an effective global early warning system and response network for new and re-emerging communicable diseases such as AIDS and the Ebola virus, and to increase training and professional exchanges in this area. And in December the US Congress overwhelmingly supported legislation providing $5.4 billion in emergency funding for the CDC and other health services, the State Department, and USAID; much of this funding was earmarked for the prevention, detection, and response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, as well for efforts to assist in the region''s recovery. Ensuring that all people in sub-Saharan Africa have access to electricity by 2030, one of the UN''s Sustainable Development Goals, will require a major effort by the region''s governments and the international community, above all the United States and the European Union.

abstract:
  Together the US and EU provide two-thirds of global humanitarian assistance for the alleviation of emergencies arising from natural and man-made disasters and 80% of global foreign aid for longer-term development assistance programs. It is therefore vital that they continue their close partnership to ensure their dollars and euros are spent as effectively as possible in an era of increasingly tight budgetary constraints. The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa in 2014 is a good example of how the US and the EU successfully addressed (albeit belatedly) a major health crisis that could have turned into a global pandemic. In many areas in Africa, they are collaborating closely on the foundation of shared priorities, including on food security, resilience, and electrification. They are also among the largest donors to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.


id: cord-016357-s5iavz3u
author: Ali, Harris
date: 2015-09-12
txt: ./txt/cord-016357-s5iavz3u.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-016357-s5iavz3u.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120611/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-24660-4_10
summary:
  To what extent is international assistance to fight Ebola strengthening local public health and medical capacity in a sustainable way, so that other emerging disease threats, which are accelerating with climate change, may be met successfully? This chapter considers the wide-ranging socio-political, medical, legal and environmental factors that have contributed to the rapid spread of Ebola, with particular emphasis on the politics of the global and public health response and the role of gender, social inequality, colonialism and racism as they relate to the mobilization and establishment of the public health infrastructure required to combat Ebola and other emerging diseases in times of climate change. While Ebola proved to be resistant to many conventional containment measures, the strengthening of urban public health institutions in the overall architecture of global health governance and responses is certainly a path that must be pursued in future outbreaks of this and other infectious diseases as cities grow faster and in different patterns than in the past.

title:
  The Social and Political Dimensions of the Ebola Response: Global Inequality, Climate Change, and Infectious Disease

abstract:
  The 2014 Ebola crisis has highlighted public-health vulnerabilities in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea—countries ravaged by extreme poverty, deforestation and mining-related disruption of livelihoods and ecosystems, and bloody civil wars in the cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebola’s emergence and impact are grounded in the legacy of colonialism and its creation of enduring inequalities within African nations and globally, via neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus. Recent experiences with new and emerging diseases such as SARS and various strains of HN influenzas have demonstrated the effectiveness of a coordinated local and global public health and education-oriented response to contain epidemics. To what extent is international assistance to fight Ebola strengthening local public health and medical capacity in a sustainable way, so that other emerging disease threats, which are accelerating with climate change, may be met successfully? This chapter considers the wide-ranging socio-political, medical, legal and environmental factors that have contributed to the rapid spread of Ebola, with particular emphasis on the politics of the global and public health response and the role of gender, social inequality, colonialism and racism as they relate to the mobilization and establishment of the public health infrastructure required to combat Ebola and other emerging diseases in times of climate change.


id: cord-016403-id6fjgye
title: Implications of Human Microbiome Research for the Developing World
author: Djikeng, Appolinaire
date: 2011-10-11
txt: ./txt/cord-016403-id6fjgye.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120668/
doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7089-3_16
summary:
  New high-throughput sequencing and data analysis approaches (Costello et al., 2009; Turnbaugh et al., 2009) , along with novel diversity screens and even more intrinsic single cell approaches to isolating new species (Lasken, 2009) , have presented the sciences with a unique opportunity to investigate and interrogate the microorganisms that are associated with the human body, all at a greater depth than previously appreciated. Global human microbiome studies using metagenomics analysis of known and unknown microorganisms provide unique but powerful opportunities to uncover the near-complete composition of the microbial content of an individual or a population at any given time, thus setting the stage for a comprehensive inventory of the genetic characteristics of potential human pathogens. Another example of the potential to come from using human metagenomic research and approaches in the developing world relates to another emerging infectious pathogen that causes Leptospirosis.

abstract:
  The human microbiome refers to all of the species that inhabit the human body, residing both on and in it. Over the past several years, there has been a significantly increased interest directed to the understanding of the microorganisms that reside on and in the human body. These studies of the human microbiome promise to reveal all these species and increase our understanding of the normal inhabitants, those that trigger disease and those that vary in response to disease conditions. It is anticipated that these directed research efforts, coupled with new technological advances, will ultimately allow one to gain a greater understanding of the relationships of these species with their human hosts. The various chapters in this book present a range of aspects of human microbiome research, explain the scientific and technological rationale, and highlight the significant potential that the results from these studies hold. In this chapter, we begin to address the potential and long-term implications of the knowledge gained from human microbiome research (which currently is centered in the developed world) for the developing world, which has often lagged behind in the benefits of these new technologies and their implications to new research areas.


id: cord-016826-oatjcmy0
title: Old and New Pestilences
author: Arata, Andrew A.
date: 2005
txt: ./txt/cord-016826-oatjcmy0.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-016826-oatjcmy0.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7121237/
doi: 10.1007/0-387-24103-5_3
summary:
  At the time of this writing, two such pathogens are active, warranting such concern: a) cases of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, caused by a coronavirus) appeared in China in November, 2002, and has spread to Western and Central Europe and North America; b) a strain of Avian Influenza Virus (N5H1), first identified in Hong Kong in 1997, reemerged in 2002 in Southeast Asia. Dengue, and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), have spread globally, infecting vast new areas, especially urban areas where the human living conditions are substandard, but readily suited for vector breeding. A good example is the recent outbreak of West Nile encephilitis in the U.S. In 1999 and 2000, the virus was isolated from/around New York City from large numbers of dead birds (especially crows and jays): 21 human cases and two deaths were confirmed.

abstract:
  a. “Any fatal epidemic disease, affecting man or beast, and destroying many victims.” The Oxford Universal Dictionary, 3(rd) edition, 1955, Oxford Press, 2515 pp. b. “A contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.” Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, 1965. G. & C. Merriam Co., Springfield, Mass., 1221 pp. Accordingly, a pestilence should be an infectious disease, devastating (killing) a large number of people (or animals).


id: cord-016946-p883xjq5
title: Introducing Ebola (EVD): An Unnecessary Surprise
author: Bindenagel Šehović, Annamarie
date: 2017-05-09
txt: ./txt/cord-016946-p883xjq5.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7121383/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-52006-3_4
summary:
  Ebola, and further emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), are associated with a host of negative consequences in terms of life expectancy and development in affected societies, states and economies, and also pose a threat to peace and security directly and beyond the region of West Africa. September 18, 2014: Building on the precedent set in the global response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, the United Nation''s Security Council (UNSC) passed Resolution 2177 (2014), in which it called upon immediate measures to respond to the spreading outbreak. The myriad systems'' failures arising from the world''s averted attention to the post-Ebola reality of West Africa also fails to address the concomitant shortages and medical challenges which undermine effective local and national response to an epidemic /pandemic threat. In addition, from this vantage point-that of the "end" of the Ebola pandemic in West Africa-it appears that the only epidemics /pandemics to which an international or global response will be mounted are those with resonance in the developed world-including in Germany.

abstract:
  Chapter 4 tackles the Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease, EVD) pandemic of 2014/2015. It notes that coming in the wake of the ongoing HIV pandemic, the rights of those infected with Ebola to be identified and treated were largely uncontested. The questions of who would be treated, by whom, with what, remained however extremely contentious. The international response to the pandemic also saw, for the first time, not only non-state actors involved in mediating and mitigating a health crisis, but also military intervention. This chapter lays out both the uses and the dilemmas of military response. It explores the impact of these interventions in this Ebola pandemic, with a view towards possible future military deployments against health threats, and offers an initial analysis of the consequences thereof on the relationship between individual and state rights and responsibilities.


id: cord-017490-p8mbiq2z
title: Bushmeat
author: Dawson, Simon
date: 2017-07-11
txt: ./txt/cord-017490-p8mbiq2z.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-017490-p8mbiq2z.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7122066/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-64738-8_12
summary:
  However, over the turn of the last century, a sharp increase in widespread human populations, clusters of extreme poverty in areas surrounded by wildlife, and highly profitable trade revenues have exploited bushmeat at an unprecedented level. This case study will focus on the ethical demand for bushmeat, focusing on the UK and European markets, and zoonotic diseases that have caused a major threat to the existence of human and animals alike. Table 12 .1 presents zoonotic diseases originated from wild animals, which have spread to humans through zoonosis. 2 highlights examples of highly resistant diseases originated from wild animals, including those associated with bushmeat. In the radio report, a senior environmental health officer stated "we have found it [bushmeat] on sale to some extent or another in almost every West African shop in the area [Hackney] . During the report, Dr. Yunes Teinaz stated "this is providing meat in to the human food chain which can carry infectious diseases.

abstract:
  Since Homo erectus, an ancient ancestor of the modern human, was discovered to have evolved from Africa 2 million years ago, animals have been hunted for their skin and meat . Animal meat is a nutritious, a convenient, and an easily accessible source of protein in the diet. However, over the turn of the last century, a sharp increase in widespread human populations, clusters of extreme poverty in areas surrounded by wildlife, and highly profitable trade revenues have exploited bushmeat at an unprecedented level. It is at a point now whereby some species are on the brink of extinction, and others will follow suit unless a drastic change occurs. This case study will focus on the ethical demand for bushmeat, focusing on the UK and European markets, and zoonotic diseases that have caused a major threat to the existence of human and animals alike.


id: cord-017667-6k4vw25d
title: NIAID International Research Programs: Global Impact
author: Georgiev, Vassil St.
date: 2009
txt: ./txt/cord-017667-6k4vw25d.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7122302/
doi: 10.1007/978-1-60327-297-1_2
summary:
  NIAID supports HIV/AIDS research in all of these 26 countries, with most projects conducted in areas with the highest incidence of infection and disease, namely Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Malaria remains a major threat, and NIAID conducts clinical, epidemiologic, drug, and vaccine research in east African countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda, and in Mali, Cameroon, Ghana, and The Gambia in central and West Africa. This study was successfully completed in 2005 and has provided data to show that serious infections and deaths can be prevented by the incorporation of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into the local expanded program on immunization (EPI) (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/research/topics/bacterial/ clinical/GambiaPneumococcalVaccineTrial.htm). There are opportunities for further research in TB (especially in the context of HIV/AIDS) and vector-borne diseases, especially Rift Valley fever (RVF), a serious zoonosis (a disease that primarily affects animals, but occasionally causes disease in humans) (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/GlobalResearch/ Africa/Kenya.htm).

abstract:
  NIAID conducts and supports a global program of research aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of immunologic, allergic, and emerging infectious diseases. This research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/GlobalResearch/default.htm)


id: cord-018239-n7axd9bq
title: Travel Medicine
author: Rusoke-Dierich, Olaf
date: 2018-03-13
txt: ./txt/cord-018239-n7axd9bq.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7123067/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-73836-9_32
summary:
  The following topics should be included in the travel advice consultation: 5 Vaccinations (general and country specific) 5 Country-specific diseases 5 Malaria prophylaxis 5 Mosquito prophylaxis (wearing bright long-sleeved clothes, avoiding perfume, staying in air-conditioned rooms, using a mosquito net, using insect repellents, staying inside at dawn and dusk) 5 Food consumption and drinking overseas (no consumption of ice cubes, uncooked meals, salads and food, which is exposed to flies, limited alcohol consumption) 5 UV protection (using sun cream, avoiding sun exposure between 11.00 and 15.00 o'' clock, remaining in shaded areas, wearing a hat and covering skin) 5 Fitness assessment for travelling, flying and diving 5 Challenges of different climates and their effects on the personal health (dehydration, hyperthermia) 5 Medications 5 Thrombosis counselling 5 Counselling on symptoms on return, which require review (fever, skin changes, abnormal bleeding, lymphadenopathy, diarrhoea) 5 Sexual transmitted diseases 5 Contraception 5 Rabies

abstract:
  Before travelling to other countries, thorough travel advice should be provided. Not only information about diseases of specific countries but also general advice for travelling should be given on this consultation.


id: cord-018364-b06084r1
title: The Emerging Threat of Ebola
author: LaBrunda, Michelle
date: 2019-06-07
txt: ./txt/cord-018364-b06084r1.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7123219/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-23491-1_6
summary:
  Transmission of Ebola disease is still being studied, but it is known that person-toperson contact is the most common form of spread. One study found the risk of developing EVD for healthcare workers to be 100 times that of the general community during an outbreak of Ebola in Sierra Leone [67] . After the outbreak of SARS in 2003 many countries starting using boarder screening to try to identify possibly ill people in hopes of limiting spread of infectious disease, others jumped on board after the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. An article by the CDC, published around the same time as the article recommending travel restriction for high-risk individuals, concludes that border screens are expensive and not effective in preventing the spread of disease [100] . Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in U

abstract:
  Ebola is one of the deadliest infectious disease of the modern era. Over 50% of those infected die. Prior to 1976, the disease was unknown. No one knows exactly where it came from, but it is postulated that a mutation in an animal virus allowed it to jump species and infect humans. In 1976 simultaneous outbreaks of Ebola occurred in what is now South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). For 20 years, only sporadic cases were seen, but in 1995 a new outbreak occurred killing hundreds in the DRC. Since that time the frequency of these outbreaks has been increasing. It is uncertain why this is occurring, but many associate it with increasing human encroachment into forested areas bringing people and animals into more intimate contact and increased mobility of previously remote population. This chapter will navigate Ebola in the context of global health and security. There are multiple objectives of this chapter. First is to provide a basic understanding of Ebola disease processes and outbreak patterns. Second, is to explore the interplay between social determinants of health and Ebola. The role of technology in spreading Ebola outbreaks will be explained as will Ebola’s potential as a bioweapon. Readers will gain understanding of the link between environmental degradation and Ebola outbreaks. This chapter will be divided into five main sections. These are (1) a case study; (2) Ebola Disease process; (3) Social determinants of health and Ebola; (4) Ebola in the modern era, and (5) the link between Ebola and environmental degradation.


id: cord-018639-0g1ov96t
title: Bushmeat and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Lessons from Africa
author: Kurpiers, Laura A.
date: 2015-09-21
txt: ./txt/cord-018639-0g1ov96t.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-018639-0g1ov96t.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7123567/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-22246-2_24
summary:
  Here we review the literature on bushmeat and EIDs for sub-Saharan Africa, summarizing pathogens (viruses, fungi, bacteria, helminths, protozoan, and prions) by bushmeat taxonomic group to provide for the first time a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge concerning zoonotic disease transmission from bushmeat into humans. In this review, we explore the links between bushmeat-related activities and EIDs in sub-Saharan Africa, where the vast majority of African emerging infectious zoonotic diseases occur (Jones et al. Although research has focused largely on mammals and, to a lesser extent, birds, theoretically any wildlife species harvested for bushmeat could be a potential source of zoonotic disease that can spillover during the hunting, butchering, and preparation process (Wolfe et al. With the increasing prevalence of zoonotic disease emergence and the associated risk for public health, we have to improve our understanding of the dynamics of spillover events of pathogens from animal to human hosts (Rostal et al.

abstract:
  Zoonotic diseases are the main contributor to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and present a major threat to global public health. Bushmeat is an important source of protein and income for many African people, but bushmeat-related activities have been linked to numerous EID outbreaks, such as Ebola, HIV, and SARS. Importantly, increasing demand and commercialization of bushmeat is exposing more people to pathogens and facilitating the geographic spread of diseases. To date, these linkages have not been systematically assessed. Here we review the literature on bushmeat and EIDs for sub-Saharan Africa, summarizing pathogens (viruses, fungi, bacteria, helminths, protozoan, and prions) by bushmeat taxonomic group to provide for the first time a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge concerning zoonotic disease transmission from bushmeat into humans. We conclude by drawing lessons that we believe are applicable to other developing and developed regions and highlight areas requiring further research to mitigate disease risk.


id: cord-020199-rm0c2vu9
title: Exploring the Determinants of Internet Usage in Nigeria: A Micro-spatial Approach
author: Odusanya, Kayode
date: 2020-03-10
txt: ./txt/cord-020199-rm0c2vu9.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-020199-rm0c2vu9.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7134309/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-45002-1_26
summary:
  The novelty of our analysis stems from a unique dataset constructed by matching geo-referenced information from an inventory of network equipment to a nationally representative street-level survey of over 20,000 Nigerians, by far one of the largest technology adoption surveys in sub-Saharan Africa to date within the information systems literature. Second, our focus on Nigeria provides a plausible and timely case study of the effect of broadband infrastructure diffusion on internet usage in SSA and the broader developing country context. Comparatively, this study is therefore the first to explore the individual-level influence of broadband infrastructure on internet adoption using a micro-spatial approach, especially in a developing country context. Hence, we would argue that the failure to control for this network infrastructure effect in the study of broadband adoption across developing countries could well result in significant omitted variable bias.

abstract:
  The dearth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in the Sub-Saharan Africa region underscores the argument that the spread of broadband infrastructure can foster internet adoption in the region. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to present results on the determinants of internet adoption in a sub-Saharan African country. Drawing on a dataset of households in Nigeria, this study presents findings on the demographic, socio-economic and infrastructure factors that predict internet usage in Nigeria. The novelty of our analysis stems from a unique dataset constructed by matching geo-referenced information from an inventory of network equipment to a nationally representative street-level survey of over 20,000 Nigerians, by far one of the largest technology adoption surveys in sub-Saharan Africa to date within the information systems literature. The results are discussed and concluding remarks highlighting next steps are made.


id: cord-020203-dtqjuemu
title: The Influence of Culture on Women’s IT Career Choices
author: Calitz, Andre P.
date: 2020-03-10
txt: ./txt/cord-020203-dtqjuemu.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-020203-dtqjuemu.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7134313/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-45002-1_30
summary:
  A number of factors influence women''s IT career choices, such as previous programming exposure, parents, teachers and role models. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine if the factor, Culture influences women''s IT career choices in South Africa. The findings indicate that the factor Culture plays an important role when women make IT career choices as well as when females decide to remain in an IT career. Cultural factors that influence career choice include but are not limited to religion, personal relations, family responsibilities and attitudes towards networking [16] . The research problem addressed in this study is that many young South African women (female scholars) do not consider a career in IT, possibly as a result of cultural influences. An important finding in this study (Table 3) indicates that for the two ethnic groupings, African/Coloured/Indian and White, the respondents perceived the influence of culture on an IT career choice statistically differently.

abstract:
  Skilled Information Technology (IT) professionals are essential to support businesses and the economy. Businesses increasingly require more qualified IT professionals, be they male or female. In South Africa, the number of women professionals participating in the IT industry is less than 20%. A number of factors influence women’s IT career choices, such as previous programming exposure, parents, teachers and role models. Research suggests that there are gender differences in preferences and beliefs that may affect career choices, including cultural influences. The role of culture in women’s IT career decisions has not been extensively explored in South Africa. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine if the factor, Culture influences women’s IT career choices in South Africa. An on-line survey was conducted amongst women IT professionals in South Africa to determine the factors that influenced their IT career choices. The data from the survey were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results, specifically relating to the factor Culture, are reported in this paper. The findings indicate that the factor Culture plays an important role when women make IT career choices as well as when females decide to remain in an IT career. The study found that culture does play a significant role in IT career decisions for different ethnic groups in South Africa. The findings suggest that efforts must be made to educate young women in computational thinking and expose them to the many career opportunities available for women in the IT industry.


id: cord-022141-yxttl3gh
title: Progressive Adaptation: The Key to Sustaining a Growing Global Population
author: Siegel, Frederic R.
date: 2014-08-23
txt: ./txt/cord-022141-yxttl3gh.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153416/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-09686-5_9
summary:
  Adaptation by the global community as a unit is vital to cope with the effects of increasing populations, global warming/climate change, the chemical, biological, and physical impacts on life-sustaining ecosystems, and competition for life sustaining and economically important natural resources. The chronic malnutrition that about 1 billion people suffered from in 2013 is likely to grow in number in some regions due to global warming/climate change because humans cannot adapt to less food if they are already at subsistence rations. As the global population increases and more people in developing and less developed nations have more disposable income, there will be a growing draw on natural resources other than water and food to service their industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing needs and wants. The effects of higher temperatures from global warming and climate change included what has been discussed in previous chapters of this book: heat, drought, sea level rise, coastal zones, typhoons, flooding, river runoff, water availability, ecosystem shifts, crop yields, fishing, aquaculture, livestock, health and poverty, and tourism.

abstract:
  Adaptation is an evolving long-term process during which a population of life forms adjusts to changes in its habitat and surrounding environments. Adaptation by the global community as a unit is vital to cope with the effects of increasing populations, global warming/climate change, the chemical, biological, and physical impacts on life-sustaining ecosystems, and competition for life sustaining and economically important natural resources. The latter include water, food, energy, metal ores, industrial minerals, and wood. Within this framework, it is necessary to adapt as well to changes in local and regional physical conditions brought on by natural and anthropogenic hazards, by health threats of epidemic or pandemic reach, by social conditions such as conflicts driven by religious and ethnic fanaticism, and by tribalism and clan ties.


id: cord-022161-quns9b84
title: China in the Fight Against the Ebola Crisis: Human Security Perspectives
author: Cui, Shunji
date: 2018-09-02
txt: ./txt/cord-022161-quns9b84.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-022161-quns9b84.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153452/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95240-6_8
summary:
  The crisis turned the global securitization of health issues into unprecedented levels, at the same time, aligned closely with human security frameworks and thus has significant impacts on national foreign and aid policies. After the August/September 2014 announcement by the WHO that Ebola was a ''public health emergency of international concern'' and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) declaration that Ebola was a ''threat to international peace and security,'' many countries as well as international organizations, non-governmental organizations, companies and individuals participated in the fight against this unprecedented challenge to humanity. Of course, in the process of engaging in the global effort to fight Ebola, China did cooperate with many countries and international and regional organizations by providing financial support to the UN, the WHO and the AU, and assisting them in playing leading and coordinating roles.

abstract:
  The outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa became one of the worst disease-driven humanitarian crises in modern history. The crisis turned the global securitization of health issues into unprecedented levels, at the same time, aligned closely with human security frameworks and thus has significant impacts on national foreign and aid policies. China has played a significant role in the global fight against Ebola, indicating important changes in its foreign policy orientations. Based on the lessons drawn from China’s operation in Africa, it is argued that states must transcend their narrow national interest and seriously consider the dignity and well-being of vulnerable people.


id: cord-022176-hprwqi4n
title: Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
author: Löscher, Thomas
date: 2009-07-28
txt: ./txt/cord-022176-hprwqi4n.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-022176-hprwqi4n.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153742/
doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-93835-6_3
summary:
  Since the detection of the etiologic infectious agent and the subsequent development of laboratory diagnostic tests in the 1980s, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease has increased from 0 to 16,000 per year, indicating that it is an "emerging diagnosis." The reported numbers vary depending on the reproduction of the hosting rodents for ticks as well as the contacts between humans and nature (Spach et al. In recent years, norovirus infections are increasingly recognized as the cause of large outbreaks of diarrheal diseases in the general population, school classes, nursing homes, hospitals, and cruise ships in western countries with peaks in colder seasons (winter epidemics) (Centers of disease control 2006; Verhoef et al. Definition: only infections that are newly discovered in humans are listed in this chapter: HIV, new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), hemorrhagic uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, viral hemorrhagic fevers like Hanta, Lassa, Ebola, and Marburg fever, Nipah virus encephalitis, monkeypox, human ehrlichiosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome (coronavirus infection, SARS), and avian influenza (H5N1) (see Fig. 3 .1 and Table 3 .2).

abstract:
  Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are characterized by a new or an increased occurrence within the last few decades. They include the following categories Emerging diagnosis of infectious diseases: old diseases that are newly classified as infectious diseases because of the discovery of a responsible infectious agent.


id: cord-023168-cd7adns8
title: Haematological Diseases in the Tropics
author: Thachil, Jecko
date: 2013-10-21
txt: ./txt/cord-023168-cd7adns8.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-023168-cd7adns8.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7167525/
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-5101-2.00066-2
abstract: nan
summary:
  The most useful laboratory measure of iron status Low value is diagnostic in the presence of anaemia Very high values (>100 µg/L) usually exclude iron deficiency'' Being an acute-phase protein, it increases in inflammatory conditions, and certain malignancies, making it unreliable Also increased in tissue damage especially of the liver Levels are falsely decreased in vitamin C deficiency and hypothyroidism Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin An intermediate in haem biosynthesis and elevated concentrations indicate interrupted haem synthesis due to iron deficiency when zinc is incorporated in place of iron Can be measured on a drop of blood with a portable haematofluorometer Small sample size makes it very useful as a screening test in field surveys, particularly in children, and pregnant women where inflammatory states may not co-exist Red cells should be washed before measurement (serum bilirubin and fluorescent compounds like some drugs can give falsely high values) although not often done Lead poisoning can give falsely high values Rarely acute myeloid leukaemia and sideroblastic anaemia give slightly high values Useful in that it is not increased in thalassaemias WHO recommends normal level >70 µmol/mol haem Iron studies Serum iron concentration represents the iron entering and leaving the circulation.


id: cord-023488-jf2xl3vl
title: Emerging Viral Diseases: Why We Need to Worry about Bats, Camels, and Airplanes
author: Le Duc, James W.
date: 2016-02-12
txt: ./txt/cord-023488-jf2xl3vl.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-023488-jf2xl3vl.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7170184/
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800964-2.00016-1
summary:
  On occasion, a virus that is already widespread in a population can emerge as a cause of epidemic or endemic disease, due to an increase in the ratio of cases to infections. Although many zoonotic viruses can be transmitted to humans on occasion, their relative ability to spread from human to human determines whether or not they emerge as significant new virus diseases of mankind (Table 2 ). In the history of modern virology (the last 50 years) there are very few documented instances where zoonotic viruses have established themselves in the human population and emerged as new viral diseases of mankind (Table 2 ). Rarely, as in the case of HIV, SARS coronavirus, and Ebola filovirus, a zoonotic virus becomes established in humans, causing a disease that is truly new to the human species.

abstract:
  The emergence of a new viral disease is one of the most dramatic aspects of virology, which often receives widespread attention from the scientific community and the lay public. Considering that the discipline of animal virology was established over 100 years ago, it may seem surprising that new virus diseases are still being discovered. How this happens is the subject of this chapter.


id: cord-023884-etkhrgxp
title: Malaria in Women and Children
author: Meremikwu, Martin
date: 2009-05-18
txt: ./txt/cord-023884-etkhrgxp.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-023884-etkhrgxp.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7176232/
doi: 10.1007/b106524_12
summary:
  falciparum infections (often in persons who have no immunity to malaria or whose immunity has decreased) are complicated by serious organ failures or abnormalities in the patient''s blood or metabolism, resulting in cerebral malaria, with abnormal behavior, impairment of consciousness, seizures, coma, or other neurologic abnormalities, severe anemia due to hemolysis (destruction of the red blood cells), hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in the urine) due to hemolysis, pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which may occur even after the parasite counts have decreased in response to treatment, abnormalities in blood coagulation and thrombocytopenia (decrease in blood platelets), cardiovascular collapse, shock, acute kidney failure, hyperparasitemia, where more than 5% of the red blood cells are infected by malaria parasites, metabolic acidosis (excessive acidity in the blood and tissue fluids), often in association with hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). A review of studies in areas of sub-Saharan Africa with high and stable malaria transmission shows that HIV-1 infection and clinically diagnosed AIDS increased the incidence of malaria 1.2-fold and 2fold, respectively (Korenromp et al. Achieving high coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) use and prompt access to treatment with artemisininbased combination treatments (ACTs) would contribute to the reduction in the morbidity and Source: WHO-AFRO (2004) mortality attributable to HIV co-infection with malaria in high transmission areas.

abstract:
  After reading this chapter and answering the discussion questions that follow, you should be able to: Explain the global burden of malaria, discuss its clinical manifestations, and appraise its health impact on women and children. Analyze the mechanisms and consequences of malaria and HIV co-infection and discuss current treatment, control and prevention strategies. Describe the challenges posed by vector resistance to insecticides, parasite resistance to antimalarials, climate change, wars/conflicts, and HIV/AIDS to malaria control and prevention efforts. Evaluate social, cultural, and economic limitations of community-based programs for malaria control and prevention.


id: cord-023993-rncleqqy
title: Long-Lasting Solutions to the Problem of Migration in Europe
author: Ramírez, J. Martín
date: 2020-03-12
txt: ./txt/cord-023993-rncleqqy.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-023993-rncleqqy.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7183294/
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-43253-9_10
summary:
  In a previous publication on the refugee crisis in Europe and its security challenges, I concluded that a global problem like this one could not be solved without an adequate orderly, and controlled immigration policy, creating systematic and controlled arrival and integration programs, because the mental structure of European societies is not prepared to face a disorderly increase in migration flows (Ramirez 2017 (Ramirez , 2019 . A key move to avoid the "calling effect" is to guarantee security and economic agreements -migration control has to be paid with money-, with those countries migrants transit through in their way to Europe, preventing them from leaving its coasts and returning to their country of origin those people whose asylum in the EU has been denied.

abstract:
  This is the following of a previous publication on the refugee crisis in Europe and its security challenges. Here we suggest some long-lasting solutions to the problem of migration. These may be summarize in four points: dealing with the countries of origin and of transit, adequate control of borders, and positive measures to facilitate the integration of the newcomers in their countries of destination.


id: cord-024078-d34e31zd
title: Social Dimensions of COVID-19 in South Africa: A Neglected Element of the Treatment Plan
author: Baldwin-Ragaven, Laurel
date: 2020-04-17
txt: ./txt/cord-024078-d34e31zd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-024078-d34e31zd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7187742/
doi: 10.18772/26180197.2020.v2nsia6
abstract: nan
summary:
  From the social distancing necessary to reduce the speed of transmission and flatten the curve, to buying essential goods for the duration of a communal lockdown, to the suffering endured by not consuming alcohol and tobacco, to reports about the personal and collective economic costs, to the nightly release of case statistics by geographical region, to the biographies of those who have died, we have amassed a hefty repository of pandemic stories that are intended to reveal a shared humanity and promote common cause. The National Department of Health in its COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for South Africa states an obvious truth about combatting the spread of the virus in our particular situation: "South Africa has a unique challenge of a large vulnerable immunocompromised population living in overcrowded conditions".(13) Over the past 26 years, prior to being hit by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, this is a frank admission that we have been sluggish in our duty to address the needs of the masses.


id: cord-024081-19wk56an
title: COVID-19: The Concept of Herd Immunity – Is It A Strategy for South Africa?
author: Kalla, Ismail S.
date: 2020-04-17
txt: ./txt/cord-024081-19wk56an.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-024081-19wk56an.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7187745/
doi: 10.18772/26180197.2020.v2nsia7
abstract: nan
summary:
  The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in January 2020, while the United Nations has described this pandemic as the worst crisis that humanity has faced since the World War II.(1) Our President declared a state of disaster in South Africa on 26 March 2020, enforcing a military-supported national lockdown. The concept of herd immunity was introduced with the widespread use of vaccines to protect against common, but severely debilitating illnesses, such as smallpox and polio, which are spread by human contact and for which humans, are a major reservoir of these viruses. Using mathematical modelling, they postulated a strategy with the aim of achieving herd immunity by allowing the disease to run rampant through their population. However, there are preliminary reports that countries with the widespread use of the BCG vaccine seem to have a lower morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, thus potentially protecting our population.


id: cord-024570-jfm4yvef
title: A discourse analysis of Ebola in South African newspapers (2014–2015)
author: Moodley, Prevan
date: 2019-08-13
txt: ./txt/cord-024570-jfm4yvef.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-024570-jfm4yvef.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7206557/
doi: 10.1177/0081246319868656
summary:
  The 2014 Ebola outbreak in three African states transformed the virus into a social reality in which media representations contributed to globalised hysteria and had rhetorical effects. This study investigated representations of the Ebola virus/disease in South African news reports (March 2014–June 2015). To demonstrate this, Mondragon, de Montes and Valencia (2017) showed that laypersons'' social representations depicted Ebola as being definitively African (particularly in being linked to poverty), along with portrayals of dread about entering the affected countries and ''backward'' Africa lacking competence to manage the disease. In this article, we therefore aim to illustrate how fear was the effect of particular representations that emanate from cultural and metaphorical content in news reports in the 2014 Ebola epidemic. The threat to humanity discourse found in the current study is typical of media representations of Ebola outbreaks that occurred until 2001 (Weldon, 2001b) .

abstract:
  The 2014 Ebola outbreak in three African states transformed the virus into a social reality in which media representations contributed to globalised hysteria and had rhetorical effects. This study investigated representations of the Ebola virus/disease in South African news reports (March 2014–June 2015). Four discourses were found to operate within the globalised social context: threat to humanity, predation, invasion, and conspiracy. The South African reportage framed Ebola as a predator and criminal rather than using stock warfare imagery. Representations indicated alignment with phobic high-income countries and colonial hegemony.


id: cord-025998-1qawjquv
title: Aquatic Ecosystems, Human Health, and Ecohydrology
author: Lara, R.J.
date: 2012-03-23
txt: ./txt/cord-025998-1qawjquv.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-025998-1qawjquv.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271162/
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-374711-2.01015-9
summary:
  The effects of increasing water use and scarcity on human health are discussed considering historical and contemporary incidence of diarrheal diseases in European and South Asian megacities, relationships between dams and on waterborne diseases in Asia and Africa, and intensive agriand aquaculture resulting in man-made ecotones, fragmented aquatic ecosystems, and pathogen mutations. It is emphasized that the comprehension of the multiple interactions among changes in environmental settings, land use, and human health requires a new synthesis of ecohydrology, biomedical sciences, and water management for surveillance and control of waterborne diseases in basin-based, transboundary health systems. • natural biological cycles in which humans can act as hosts of pathogenic microorganisms (protozoans, bacteria, etc.); • consequences of the management of aquatic resources (e.g., wetlands drainage or creation, aquaculture, and dam construction); • effects of water pollution (chemical, microbiological, radio active, and thermal) on man and on the physiology of individual organisms; and • the impact of global changes affecting climate and hydrolo gical cycles (e.g., habitat degradation, warming, increased rainfall, and storms).

abstract:
  This chapter treats two main topics: the relationship between human health, aquatic ecosystems, and water use; and the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches for the development of water management policies and disease control. Main waterborne diseases, mostly affecting developing countries and relevant in terms of water management and changes in land use, such as malaria, schistosomiasis, or cholera, are discussed stressing links to the global water crisis. Also, the role of artificial and natural wetlands in influenza epidemics is treated. The effects of increasing water use and scarcity on human health are discussed considering historical and contemporary incidence of diarrheal diseases in European and South Asian megacities, relationships between dams and on waterborne diseases in Asia and Africa, and intensive agri- and aquaculture resulting in man-made ecotones, fragmented aquatic ecosystems, and pathogen mutations. It is emphasized that the comprehension of the multiple interactions among changes in environmental settings, land use, and human health requires a new synthesis of ecohydrology, biomedical sciences, and water management for surveillance and control of waterborne diseases in basin-based, transboundary health systems. Surveillance systems should monitor changes in water management, ecotones, and hydrological cycles and shifts in, for example, the outbreak timing of strongly seasonal diseases. These indicators would provide criteria for the development of innovative water management policies, combining methods of vector control and the safe creation of water reservoirs, irrigation systems, and wetland habitats.


id: cord-027859-citynr6c
title: Epidemiology of Disease in the Tropics
author: P. Shetty, Nandini
date: 2020-06-22
txt: ./txt/cord-027859-citynr6c.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-027859-citynr6c.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7315327/
doi: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-4470-3.50007-0
abstract: nan
summary:
  No more than six deadly infectious diseases: pneumonia, tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, measles and more recently, HIV/AIDS, account for half of all premature deaths, killing mostly children and young adults (Figure 3 .3). 9 In May 2002, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children''s Fund recommended that the formulation of oral rehydration solution (ORS) for treatment of patients with diarrhoea be changed to one with a reduced osmolarity and that safety of the new formulation, particularly development of symptomatic hyponatremia, be monitored. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children all over the world, and an important public health problem, particularly in developing countries where 600 000 deaths each year are associated with this infection. falciparum causes most of the severe disease and deaths attributable to malaria and is most prevalent in Africa south of the Sahara and in certain areas of South-east Asia and the Western Pacifi c (Figure 3.7) .


id: cord-029728-fwzm6c61
author: Omorogiuwa, Tracy BE
date: 2020-07-23
txt: ./txt/cord-029728-fwzm6c61.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-029728-fwzm6c61.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7378316/
doi: 10.1177/0020872820941748
summary:
  title: COVID-19 and older adults in Africa: Social workers'' utilization of mass media in enforcing policy change This article canvasses for the utilization of the mass media in initiating policy response to the challenges of older adults throughout the continent. It is against this background that social workers must be at the vanguard of promoting policy change in the context of the challenges faced by older adults in Africa, through the instrumentality of the mass media. The coronavirus pandemic has restated the necessity of urgent policy response to older adults in Africa. Although the impact of the mass media in initiating policy change at both micro and macro levels is well noted, social workers, as agents of social change, have scantly deployed this channel to working with older adults in Africa.

title:
  COVID-19 and older adults in Africa: Social workers’ utilization of mass media in enforcing policy change

abstract:
  Dominating headlines in the last few months, global attention has been fixed on the coronavirus pandemic given its rampaging impact on social events and human affairs. More than any other groups, older adults have been disproportionately affected by the deadly contagion. This situation poses legitimate concerns to the social work profession, whose mandate is to liberate vulnerable people and promote social development. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to take a devastating toll on older adults in the short-term, its long-term consequences may be far more profound unless urgent attention is directed to mitigate this situation. Given the promulgation of social distancing and shutdowns among a number of African countries, many social workers have found it increasingly difficult to address the difficulties faced by older adults. This article canvasses for the utilization of the mass media in initiating policy response to the challenges of older adults throughout the continent.


id: cord-032252-8usagw86
title: Africa, Prisons and COVID-19
author: Muntingh, Lukas M
date: 2020-08-31
txt: ./txt/cord-032252-8usagw86.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-032252-8usagw86.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7499662/
doi: 10.1093/jhuman/huaa031
summary:
  Yet African states have remained remarkably reluctant to engage in prison reform, despite the fact that poorly managed prisons pose a significant threat to general public health care. When the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the release of prisoners to address overcrowding (WHO 2020) and this call was further supported by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) in its public advice to National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) (UN SPT 2020: para 9(b)), it seemed in principle like an admirable idea, but reality demanded a more cautious approach, in Africa at least. Seven countries announced significant releases with the highest number in South Africa (19,000), Ethiopia (5,600) and Mozambique (5,032) (Republic of South Africa, The Presidency 2020; Ethiopian Monitor 2020a; Daily Nation 2020) and the lowest in Botswana (149). Of the 24 countries surveyed in southern and east Africa, only two could be confirmed as not having declared a state of disaster or emergency or lockdown: Malawi and Tanzania (New Frame 2020).

abstract:
  Africa’s prisons are a long-standing concern for rights defenders given the prevalence of rights abuses, overcrowding, poor conditions of detention and the extent to which the criminal justice system is used to target the poor. The paper surveys 24 southern and east African countries within the context of COVID-19. Between 5 March and 15 April 2020 COVID-19 had spread to 23 southern and east African countries, except Lesotho. The overwhelming majority of these countries imposed general restrictions on their populations from March 2020 and nearly all restricted visits to prisons to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The pandemic and government responses demonstrated the importance of reliable and up to date data on the prison population, and any confined population, as it became evident that such information is sorely lacking. The World Health Organization recommended the release of prisoners to ease congestion, a step supported by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. However, the lack of data and the particular African context pose some questions about the desirability of such a move. The curtailment of prison visits by external persons also did away with independent oversight even in states parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). In the case of South Africa, prison monitors were not listed in the ensuing legislation as part of essential services and thus were excluded from access to prisons. In the case of Mozambique, it was funding being placed on hold by the donor community that prevented the Human Rights Commission from visiting prisons. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing systemic problems in Africa’s prisons. Yet African states have remained remarkably reluctant to engage in prison reform, despite the fact that poorly managed prisons pose a significant threat to general public health care.


id: cord-076081-ue9azoyf
author: Hardon, Anita
date: 2008-07-10
txt: ./txt/cord-076081-ue9azoyf.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-076081-ue9azoyf.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503967/
doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-4-16
summary:
  The AIDSImpact session concluded that more interdisciplinary research is needed on the experience of people living with HIV/AIDS with these alternative medicines, and on the ways in which these products interact (or not) with anti-retroviral therapy at pharmacological as well as psychosocial levels. Social scientists first noted this trend in the late 1980s: Charles Leslie [3] for example has shown how, in India, in response to an increased authority of biomedicine and the globalisation of health markets, Unani and Ayurvedic medicine production changed; and Afdhal and Welsch [4] described the rise of ''modern'' jamu in Indonesia. A case study from Uganda showed how health workers operating an anti-retroviral treatment program adopted a locally available traditional ointment as an alternative medication for skins problems of people living with HIV and AIDS.

title:
  Alternative medicines for AIDS in resource-poor settings: Insights from exploratory anthropological studies in Asia and Africa

abstract:
  The emergence of alternative medicines for AIDS in Asia and Africa was discussed at a satellite symposium and the parallel session on alternative and traditional treatments of the AIDSImpact meeting, held in Marseille, in July 2007. These medicines are heterogeneous, both in their presentation and in their geographic and cultural origin. The sessions focused on the role of these medications in selected resource poor settings in Africa and Asia now that access to anti-retroviral therapy is increasing. The aims of the sessions were to (1) identify the actors involved in the diffusion of these alternative medicines for HIV/AIDS, (2) explore uses and forms, and the way these medicines are given legitimacy, (3) reflect on underlying processes of globalisation and cultural differentiation, and (4) define priority questions for future research in this area. This article presents the insights generated at the meeting, illustrated with some findings from the case studies (Uganda, Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso, China and Indonesia) that were presented. These case studies reveal the wide range of actors who are involved in the marketing and supply of alternative medicines. Regulatory mechanisms are weak. The efficacy claims of alternative medicines often reinforce a biomedical paradigm for HIV/AIDS, and fit with a healthy living ideology promoted by AIDS care programs and support groups. The AIDSImpact session concluded that more interdisciplinary research is needed on the experience of people living with HIV/AIDS with these alternative medicines, and on the ways in which these products interact (or not) with anti-retroviral therapy at pharmacological as well as psychosocial levels.


id: cord-206145-snkdgpym
title: Object Recognition for Economic Development from Daytime Satellite Imagery
author: Ackermann, Klaus
date: 2020-09-11
txt: ./txt/cord-206145-snkdgpym.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-206145-snkdgpym.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.05455v1.pdf
doi: nan
summary:
  Ultimately, this project aims to go beyond the use of nightlight luminosity as a proxy for economic development data and use high resolution, daytime satellite imagery to predict key infrastructure variables at national and subnational levels for less developed countries like in Africa. More broadl, we also relate growing body of literature that uses other passively collected data to measure local economic activity (e.g. Abelson, Varshney, and Sun 2014; Blumenstock, Cadamuro, and On 2015; Chen and Nordhaus 2011; Henderson, Storeygard, and Weil 2012; Hodler and Raschky 2014) , Methodologically, our paper contributes to the large remote-sensing literature that applies high-dimensional techniques to extract features from satellite imagery (e.g. Jean et al. Using satellite images from 21 African countries we show how our method can be used to generate very granular information about the stock of housing and road infrastructure for regions in the world, where reliable information about the local level of economic development is hardly available.

abstract:
  Reliable data about the stock of physical capital and infrastructure in developing countries is typically very scarce. This is particular a problem for data at the subnational level where existing data is often outdated, not consistently measured or coverage is incomplete. Traditional data collection methods are time and labor-intensive costly, which often prohibits developing countries from collecting this type of data. This paper proposes a novel method to extract infrastructure features from high-resolution satellite images. We collected high-resolution satellite images for 5 million 1km $times$ 1km grid cells covering 21 African countries. We contribute to the growing body of literature in this area by training our machine learning algorithm on ground-truth data. We show that our approach strongly improves the predictive accuracy. Our methodology can build the foundation to then predict subnational indicators of economic development for areas where this data is either missing or unreliable.


id: cord-252947-giijfhbz
author: Khubone, Thokozani
date: 2020-05-20
txt: ./txt/cord-252947-giijfhbz.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-252947-giijfhbz.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10050327
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics10050327
summary:
  title: Electronic Health Information Systems to Improve Disease Diagnosis and Management at Point-of-Care in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Narrative Review This review provides an overview of literature on EHIS''s with a focus on describing the key components of EHIS and presenting evidence on enablers and barriers to implementation of EHISs in LMICs. With guidance from the presented evidence, we proposed EHIS key stakeholders'' roles and responsibilities to ensure efficient utility of EHIS for disease diagnosis and management at POC in LMICs. The health sector is lagging behind in the era of information and technology (IT). There are various factors impeding the successful implementation and scale up of EHIS in LMICs. These include the following: complexity of the intervention and lack of technical consensus; limited human resource, poor leadership, insufficient finances, staff resistance, lack of management, low organizational capability; misapplication of proven diffusion techniques; non engagement of both local users and inadequate use of research findings when implementing [36] .

title:
  Electronic Health Information Systems to Improve Disease Diagnosis and Management at Point-of-Care in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Narrative Review

abstract:
  The purpose of an electronic health information system (EHIS) is to support health care workers in providing health care services to an individual client and to enable data exchange among service providers. The demand to explore the use of EHIS for diagnosis and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases has increased dramatically due to the volume of patient data and the need to retain patients in care. In addition, the advent of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in high disease burdened low and middle income countries (LMICs) has increased the need for robust EHIS to enable efficient surveillance of the pandemic. EHIS has potential to enable efficient delivery of disease diagnostics services at point-of-care (POC) and reduce medical errors. This review provides an overview of literature on EHIS’s with a focus on describing the key components of EHIS and presenting evidence on enablers and barriers to implementation of EHISs in LMICs. With guidance from the presented evidence, we proposed EHIS key stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities to ensure efficient utility of EHIS for disease diagnosis and management at POC in LMICs.


id: cord-255927-0tp4ig4o
title: African Primates: Likely Victims, Not Reservoirs, of Ebolaviruses
author: Hayman, David T S
date: 2019-11-15
txt: ./txt/cord-255927-0tp4ig4o.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-255927-0tp4ig4o.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz007
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz007
abstract: nan
summary:
  This experimental work is supported by field data from related Marburg viruses, first identified after African monkeys infected people in Europe [24] , which apparently persist within large colonies of cave-dwelling Egyptian fruit bats, and RESTV in Asian bats. Thus, together the evidence for bats being the true reservoir host for EVD causing viruses is convincing, but relies on serological evidence of infection rather than virus detection, and the role of nonhuman primates as reservoirs remains uncertain. In other systems, archived sample banks have helped identify Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus-seropositive camels in East Africa over 11-year (Kenya) and 30-year (Sudan and Somalia) periods, suggesting extensive virus circulation in camels prior to the first human outbreaks [35] [36] [37] [38] . All of these studies are limited by data, but Ayouba et al''s comprehensive study supports the assumption that bats, not primates, are likely reservoir hosts and that nonhuman primates may be viewed as both sentinels for human infection and victims of EVD [9, 15, 33, 51] .


id: cord-257358-uoek1pba
title: Plagues and Diseases in History
author: Peset, José L.
date: 2015-03-12
txt: ./txt/cord-257358-uoek1pba.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-257358-uoek1pba.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/B9780080970868620500
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-097086-8.62050-0
summary:
  In spite of the development of the medical science, during the twentieth century, individuals have observed the spread of new or reemerging diseases, from plague, cholera, and flu; measles, cancer, and malaria; to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, West Nile fever, resistant tuberculosis, virus of Ebola, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and others. The study of the transmission of pathogens through animals and human beings (as vectors and hosts), living in a physical, biological, social, and cultural environment, was crucial in bringing about a new history of disease and also much later in fueling the most recent ecological history. Toward the middle of the nineteenth century, the third wave of the disease broke out and, with the exception of Europe, it spread to all countries including Asia, Africa, and paradises like America and Australia, leaving remnants in many places.

abstract:
  In spite of the development of the medical science, during the twentieth century, individuals have observed the spread of new or reemerging diseases, from plague, cholera, and flu; measles, cancer, and malaria; to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, West Nile fever, resistant tuberculosis, virus of Ebola, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and others. As individual illness is rooted in society and the environment, human life is tied up with the history of main endemic and epidemic diseases. Human health is very sensitive and adaptable to changes, so the history of disease and hygiene is the core of the new ecological history.


id: cord-258150-ezatw341
title: The neglected role of Faith-based Organizations in prevention and control of COVID-19 in Africa
author: Vilakati, Phesheya Ndumiso
date: 2020-08-27
txt: ./txt/cord-258150-ezatw341.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-258150-ezatw341.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traa073
doi: 10.1093/trstmh/traa073
summary:
  Especially in the sub-Saharan countries, COVID-19 may have devastating effects as the response required is challenged by inherent fragilities in the national health systems, high population density in metropolitan slums, a lack of services in rural settings, generally poor sanitation, food insecurity and undernutrition, as well as the high burden of comorbidities such as HIV infection and tuberculosis. In the African continent, preparedness for a pandemic like COVID-19 is a challenge given the need for rapid adaptation of already constrained health systems, scarcity of laboratories and reagents to test, limited training capacity, and poverty of resources in care provision and in general. However, due to the general shortage in PPE, diagnostic kits, and effective therapeutic options in countries like Ethiopia and eSwatini, most funds and key supply and equipment may be directed to governmental facilities rather than engaging the numerous FBOs and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing care.

abstract:
  The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed health system weaknesses of economically wealthy countries with advanced technologies. COVID-19 is now moving fast across Africa where small outbreaks have been reported so far. There is a concern that with the winter transmission will grow rapidly. Despite efforts of African Governments to promptly establish mitigating measures, rural areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, risk being neglected. In those settings, faith-based and other non-governmental organizations, if properly equipped and supported, can play a crucial role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. We describe our experience in two rural health facilities in eSwatini and Ethiopia highlighting the struggle towards preparedness and the urgency of international support to help prevent a major public health disaster.


id: cord-258669-ubw6mdzi
author: Colebunders, Robert
date: 2020-08-27
txt: ./txt/cord-258669-ubw6mdzi.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-258669-ubw6mdzi.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220306871?v=s5
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.08.060
summary:
  We suggest investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of distributing COVID-19 prevention kits to households with persons at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Here, we call for the generation and strengthening of evidence to guide non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19, which we illustrate with a practical proposal for assessing the impact of targeted protection of at-risk individuals in settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the early implementation of lockdown measures for COVID-19 control may have contributed to the (initially) low mortality observed in most sub-Saharan Africa countries, the collateral damage resulting from this strategy is becoming increasingly apparent. We therefore propose to complement the extant containment measures in sub-Saharan Africa with more targeted protection strategies, aiming at protecting people at risk of severe COVID-19 disease. One strategy could be to distribute COVID-19 prevention kits to households with persons at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.

title:
  A call for strengthened evidence on targeted, non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 for the protection of vulnerable individuals in sub-Saharan Africa

abstract:
  Since many sub-Saharan African countries started easing their lockdown measures, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise. As COVID- 19 transmission may be difficult to stop in these settings, we propose to complement the existing COVID-19 prevention strategies aiming at reducing overall transmission with more targeted strategies to protect people at risk for severe COVID-19 disease. We suggest investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of distributing COVID-19 prevention kits to households with persons at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.


id: cord-259673-z7kvf8n8
title: Identifying and combating the impacts of COVID-19 on malaria
author: Rogerson, Stephen J.
date: 2020-07-30
txt: ./txt/cord-259673-z7kvf8n8.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-259673-z7kvf8n8.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01710-x
doi: 10.1186/s12916-020-01710-x
summary:
  These gains are largely attributable to expanding the distribution of insecticidetreated bed nets (ITNs), indoor spraying of residual insecticides (IRS) and other vector control strategies; access to early diagnosis (e.g. rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)); and more effective antimalarial treatments [1] , together with targeted interventions such as intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Key interventions and innovative approaches, such as targeted MDA programmes and enhanced distribution of ITNs, will be critical in preventing dramatic increases in malaria deaths [12] , but their implementation and prioritisation will bring logistic and financial challenges given COVID-19 disruptions and the competing needs of other health issues and services. To reduce the impact of COVID-19 disruptions, it is essential that the supply of diagnostics and treatments for malaria are maintained and that there is strong support of ITN distribution, IRS and other preventive interventions. Support malaria-endemic countries both in fighting COVID-19 disease and in controlling malaria through an integrated health care programme and community engagement.

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of infections, hundreds of thousands of deaths and major societal disruption due to lockdowns and other restrictions introduced to limit disease spread. Relatively little attention has been paid to understanding how the pandemic has affected treatment, prevention and control of malaria, which is a major cause of death and disease and predominantly affects people in less well-resourced settings. MAIN BODY: Recent successes in malaria control and elimination have reduced the global malaria burden, but these gains are fragile and progress has stalled in the past 5 years. Withdrawing successful interventions often results in rapid malaria resurgence, primarily threatening vulnerable young children and pregnant women. Malaria programmes are being affected in many ways by COVID-19. For prevention of malaria, insecticide-treated nets need regular renewal, but distribution campaigns have been delayed or cancelled. For detection and treatment of malaria, individuals may stop attending health facilities, out of fear of exposure to COVID-19, or because they cannot afford transport, and health care workers require additional resources to protect themselves from COVID-19. Supplies of diagnostics and drugs are being interrupted, which is compounded by production of substandard and falsified medicines and diagnostics. These disruptions are predicted to double the number of young African children dying of malaria in the coming year and may impact efforts to control the spread of drug resistance. Using examples from successful malaria control and elimination campaigns, we propose strategies to re-establish malaria control activities and maintain elimination efforts in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is likely to be a long-term challenge. All sectors of society, including governments, donors, private sector and civil society organisations, have crucial roles to play to prevent malaria resurgence. Sparse resources must be allocated efficiently to ensure integrated health care systems that can sustain control activities against COVID-19 as well as malaria and other priority infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that other major killers such as malaria are not ignored. History tells us that if we do, the consequences will be dire, particularly in vulnerable populations.


id: cord-259754-7skgb6eu
title: Transmission dynamics and control of Ebola virus disease (EVD): a review
author: Chowell, Gerardo
date: 2014-10-10
txt: ./txt/cord-259754-7skgb6eu.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-259754-7skgb6eu.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25300956/
doi: 10.1186/s12916-014-0196-0
summary:
  We also discuss the critical need to collect detailed epidemiological data in real-time during the course of an ongoing epidemic, carry out further studies to estimate the effectiveness of interventions during past outbreaks and the ongoing epidemic, and develop large-scale modeling studies to study the spread and control of viral hemorrhagic fevers in the context of the highly heterogeneous economic reality of African countries. In particular, the epidemic is unfolding in a region characterized by limited public health infrastructure including: (1) a lack of essential supplies to implement infection control measures in health care settings; (2) scarcity of health care workers and staff to manage a growing case burden and carry out essential contact tracing activities to find new cases quickly so that these can be effectively isolated [12] ; and (3) the absence of epidemiological surveillance for the timely identification of case clusters [13, 14] .

abstract:
  The complex and unprecedented Ebola epidemic ongoing in West Africa has highlighted the need to review the epidemiological characteristics of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as well as our current understanding of the transmission dynamics and the effect of control interventions against Ebola transmission. Here we review key epidemiological data from past Ebola outbreaks and carry out a comparative review of mathematical models of the spread and control of Ebola in the context of past outbreaks and the ongoing epidemic in West Africa. We show that mathematical modeling offers useful insights into the risk of a major epidemic of EVD and the assessment of the impact of basic public health measures on disease spread. We also discuss the critical need to collect detailed epidemiological data in real-time during the course of an ongoing epidemic, carry out further studies to estimate the effectiveness of interventions during past outbreaks and the ongoing epidemic, and develop large-scale modeling studies to study the spread and control of viral hemorrhagic fevers in the context of the highly heterogeneous economic reality of African countries.


id: cord-260565-cdthfl5f
author: Burkle, Frederick M.
date: 2020-04-02
txt: ./txt/cord-260565-cdthfl5f.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-260565-cdthfl5f.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1049023x20000424
doi: 10.1017/s1049023x20000424
summary:
  While China is seeking to adhere as much as possible to the underlying norms and rules of global institutions," reemphasizing that China after SARS "perhaps [needs] to reframe health as a global public good that is available to each and every individual of the world, rather than merely as an issue of concern to nation-states." 37 In a rare openness, rarely seen before, the normally secretive Xi admitted at a meeting to coordinate the fight against the virus that China must learn from "obvious shortcomings exposed during its response." Yet given the second-guessing that always surfaces in these tragedies, "it cannot be denied that the Chinese government tried to control the narrative, another sign of irrational hubris, and as a result, the contagion was allowed to spread, contributing to equally irrational fear." A China researcher for Human Rights Watch (New York USA) noted: "authorities are as equally, if not more, concerned with silencing criticism as with containing the spread of the coronavirus.

title:
  Declining Public Health Protections within Autocratic Regimes: Impact on Global Public Health Security, Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics

abstract:
  Public health emergencies of international concern, in the form of infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics, represent an increasing risk to the worldʼs population. Management requires coordinated responses, across many disciplines and nations, and the capacity to muster proper national and global public health education, infrastructure, and prevention measures. Unfortunately, increasing numbers of nations are ruled by autocratic regimes which have characteristically failed to adopt investments in public health infrastructure, education, and prevention measures to keep pace with population growth and density. Autocratic leaders have a direct impact on health security, a direct negative impact on health, and create adverse political and economic conditions that only complicate the crisis further. This is most evident in autocratic regimes where health protections have been seriously and purposely curtailed. All autocratic regimes define public health along economic and political imperatives that are similar across borders and cultures. Autocratic regimes are seriously handicapped by sociopathic narcissistic leaders who are incapable of understanding the health consequences of infectious diseases or the impact on their population. A cross section of autocratic nations currently experiencing the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) are reviewed to demonstrate the manner where self-serving regimes fail to manage health crises and place the rest of the world at increasing risk. It is time to re-address the pre-SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) global agendas calling for stronger strategic capacity, legal authority, support, and institutional status under World Health Organization (WHO) leadership granted by an International Health Regulations Treaty. Treaties remain the most successful means the world has in preventing, preparing for, and controlling epidemics in an increasingly globalized world. “Honesty is worth a lot more than hope…” The Economist, February 17, 2020.


id: cord-261533-73721b24
author: Mok, Chris Ka Pun
date: 2020-10-06
txt: ./txt/cord-261533-73721b24.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-261533-73721b24.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30599-5
doi: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30599-5
summary:
  We therefore aimed to test peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in workers from an abattoir in Kano, Nigeria, for MERS-CoV-specific T-cell responses to understand if the dromedary-exposed individuals in Africa have been infected by MERS-CoV. Evidence before this study Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is recognised as one of eight emerging pathogens of greatest threat to global public health, and dromedary camels are the source of human zoonotic infection. Because there was evidence that serological assays for MERS-CoV had suboptimal sensitivity for past infection and because we had previous data showing that T-cell assays for MERS-CoV are specific and potentially more sensitive than antibody detection, we investigated T-cell responses in dromedary-exposed abattoir workers and controls in Nigeria. 61 (53%) of the 115 participants had PBMCs available for additional testing for four endemic human coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43), including 18 dromedary-exposed workers positive and ten negative for a MERS-CoV T-cell response and 33 from the negative control groups who were all MERS-CoV T-cell negative.

title:
  T-cell responses to MERS coronavirus infection in people with occupational exposure to dromedary camels in Nigeria: an observational cohort study

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) remains of global public health concern. Dromedary camels are the source of zoonotic infection. Over 70% of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV)-infected dromedaries are found in Africa but no zoonotic disease has been reported in Africa. We aimed to understand whether individuals with exposure to dromedaries in Africa had been infected by MERS-CoV. METHODS: Workers slaughtering dromedaries in an abattoir in Kano, Nigeria, were compared with abattoir workers without direct dromedary contact, non-abattoir workers from Kano, and controls from Guangzhou, China. Exposure to dromedaries was ascertained using a questionnaire. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were tested for MERS-CoV specific neutralising antibody and T-cell responses. FINDINGS: None of the participants from Nigeria or Guangdong were MERS-CoV seropositive. 18 (30%) of 61 abattoir workers with exposure to dromedaries, but none of 20 abattoir workers without exposure (p=0·0042), ten non-abattoir workers or 24 controls from Guangzhou (p=0·0002) had evidence of MERS-CoV-specific CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells in PBMC. T-cell responses to other endemic human coronaviruses (229E, OC43, HKU-1, and NL-63) were observed in all groups with no association with dromedary exposure. Drinking both unpasteurised camel milk and camel urine was significantly and negatively associated with T-cell positivity (odds ratio 0·07, 95% CI 0·01–0·54). INTERPRETATION: Zoonotic infection of dromedary-exposed individuals is taking place in Nigeria and suggests that the extent of MERS-CoV infections in Africa is underestimated. MERS-CoV could therefore adapt to human transmission in Africa rather than the Arabian Peninsula, where attention is currently focused. FUNDING: The National Science and Technology Major Project, National Institutes of Health.


id: cord-263371-1ozoq3hb
title: Anticipating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB patients and TB control programmes
author: Togun, Toyin
date: 2020-05-23
txt: ./txt/cord-263371-1ozoq3hb.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-263371-1ozoq3hb.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-020-00363-1
doi: 10.1186/s12941-020-00363-1
summary:
  Tuberculosis remains a global health emergency and needs our attention more than ever, given that significant resources are now being diverted to COVID-19 management. We discussed issues of how COVID-19 would affect control programmes: prioritisation of services, availability of drugs, the effect on hard-to-reach and low-income communities and the role of stigmatisation, how paediatric TB disease might be affected, the possibility of increased disease transmission or disease susceptibility, and the problems caused by likely co-morbidity. COVID-19 will potentially worsen patient care and TB control efforts in Africa, given the likely negative impact of the pandemic at the macroeconomic, health system and individual levels in Africa. The majority of children in LMIC are not seen by dedicated paediatric specialists, and many general physicians and nurses usually available for their care will be seconded to dealing with adult patients affected by severe respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 instead.

abstract:
  The COVID-19 pandemic has currently overtaken every other health issue throughout the world. There are numerous ways in which this will impact existing public health issues. Here we reflect on the interactions between COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB), which still ranks as the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease globally. There may be grave consequences for existing and undiagnosed TB patients globally, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs) where TB is endemic and health services poorly equipped. TB control programmes will be strained due to diversion of resources, and an inevitable loss of health system focus, such that some activities cannot or will not be prioritised. This is likely to lead to a reduction in quality of TB care and worse outcomes. Further, TB patients often have underlying co-morbidities and lung damage that may make them prone to more severe COVID-19. The symptoms of TB and COVID-19 can be similar, with for example cough and fever. Not only can this create diagnostic confusion, but it could worsen the stigmatization of TB patients especially in LMICs, given the fear of COVID-19. Children with TB are a vulnerable group especially likely to suffer as part of the “collateral damage”. There will be a confounding of symptoms and epidemiological data through co-infection, as happens already with TB–HIV, and this will require unpicking. Lessons for COVID-19 could be learned from the vast experience of running global TB control programmes, while the astonishingly rapid and relatively well co-ordinated response to COVID-19 demonstrates how existing programmes could be significantly improved.


id: cord-264348-n551lttt
title: Climate Change, Migration, and Civil Strife
author: Balsari, Satchit
date: 2020-10-13
txt: ./txt/cord-264348-n551lttt.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-264348-n551lttt.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-020-00291-4
doi: 10.1007/s40572-020-00291-4
summary:
  Advances in remote-sensing and surveillance capabilities that have tracked population displacements in recent years have generated strong empirical evidence that migration is a key survival mechanism in the face of extreme weather events, including floods and droughts; that most climate-related migration takes place across short distances within countries or across contiguous borders; and that households which lack migration options are inherently more vulnerable and less adaptable to the impacts of climatic variability [9] . Shifts in these arguments began to emerge in the mid-2000s, as the effects of climate change became more marked [94] , the number of resource wars increased with surges in forced migration [78] , and research and policy analysis contributed to enhanced understanding of the pivotal negative roles played by internal social fragilities and incompetent or malicious state leaders in the setting of external economic and agricultural shocks [95, 96] .

abstract:
  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this article, we examine the intersection of human migration and climate change. Growing evidence that changing environmental and climate conditions are triggers for displacement, whether voluntary or forced, adds a powerful argument for profound anticipatory engagement. RECENT FINDINGS: Climate change is expected to displace vast populations from rural to urban areas, and when life in the urban centers becomes untenable, many will continue their onward migration elsewhere (Wennersten and Robbins 2017; Rigaud et al. 2018). It is now accepted that the changing climate will be a threat multiplier, will exacerbate the need or decision to migrate, and will disproportionately affect large already vulnerable sections of humanity. Worst-case scenario models that assume business-as-usual approaches to climate change predict that nearly one-third of the global population will live in extremely hot (uninhabitable) climates, currently found in less than 1% of the earth’s surface mainly in the Sahara. SUMMARY: We find that the post–World War II regime designed to receive European migrants has failed to address population movement in the latter half of the twentieth century fueled by economic want, globalization, opening (and then closing) borders, civil strife, and war. Key stakeholders are in favor of using existing instruments to support a series of local, regional, and international arrangements to protect environmental migrants, most of whom will not cross international borders. The proposal for a dedicated UN agency and a new Convention has largely come from academia and NGOs. Migration is now recognized not only as a consequence of instability but as an adaptation strategy to the changing climate. Migration must be anticipated as a certainty, and thereby planned for and supported.


id: cord-266225-mqbud21t
author: Tambo, Ernest
date: 2016-05-09
txt: ./txt/cord-266225-mqbud21t.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-266225-mqbud21t.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.8662.1
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.8662.1
summary:
  The strength of scaling FOA in developing countries will entail but not limited to: 1) increasing real time and effective knowledge-or evidence-based translation of proven and validated approaches, 2) strategies and tools in strengthening health systems and revamping early and timely access to much needed information by policy-makers, and 3) enhanced guided health financing and capacity development by health institutions and related stakeholders, and strengthening contextual programs and activities planning, transparency and accountability. This paper assesses the values and benefits of open, free of charge data and information access and availability in strengthening health systems policies, financing, promoting knowledge-based programs and targeted interventions directed to forecast, prevent, reduce and/or manage the growing emerging threats and epidemics as well as infectious diseases of poverty in LMICs, especially in Africa.

title:
  Can free open access resources strengthen knowledge-based emerging public health priorities, policies and programs in Africa?

abstract:
  Tackling emerging epidemics and infectious diseases burden in Africa requires increasing unrestricted open access and free use or reuse of regional and global policies reforms as well as timely communication capabilities and strategies. Promoting, scaling up data and information sharing between African researchers and international partners are of vital importance in accelerating open access at no cost. Free Open Access (FOA) health data and information acceptability, uptake tactics and sustainable mechanisms are urgently needed. These are critical in establishing real time and effective knowledge or evidence-based translation, proven and validated approaches, strategies and tools to strengthen and revamp health systems. As such, early and timely access to needed emerging public health information is meant to be instrumental and valuable for policy-makers, implementers, care providers, researchers, health-related institutions and stakeholders including populations when guiding health financing, and planning contextual programs.


id: cord-266415-8w5elfro
author: Tambo, Ernest
date: 2014-08-05
txt: ./txt/cord-266415-8w5elfro.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-266415-8w5elfro.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25120913/
doi: 10.1186/2049-9957-3-29
summary:
  For the purposes of this paper, five have been identified: (i) the deficiency in the development and implementation of surveillance response systems against Ebola and others infectious disease outbreaks in Africa; (ii) the lack of education and knowledge resulting in an EVD outbreak triggering panic, anxiety, psychosocial trauma, isolation and dignity impounding, stigmatisation, community ostracism and resistance to associated socio-ecological and public health consequences; (iii) limited financial resources, human technical capacity and weak community and national health system operational plans for prevention and control responses, practices and management; (iv) inadequate leadership and coordination; and (v) the lack of development of new strategies, tools and approaches, such as improved diagnostics and novel therapies including vaccines which can assist in preventing, controlling and containing Ebola outbreaks as well as the spread of the disease.

title:
  Need of surveillance response systems to combat Ebola outbreaks and other emerging infectious diseases in African countries

abstract:
  There is growing concern in Sub-Saharan Africa about the spread of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, and the public health burden that it ensues. Since 1976, there have been 885,343 suspected and laboratory confirmed cases of EVD and the disease has claimed 2,512 cases and 932 fatality in West Africa. There are certain requirements that must be met when responding to EVD outbreaks and this process could incur certain challenges. For the purposes of this paper, five have been identified: (i) the deficiency in the development and implementation of surveillance response systems against Ebola and others infectious disease outbreaks in Africa; (ii) the lack of education and knowledge resulting in an EVD outbreak triggering panic, anxiety, psychosocial trauma, isolation and dignity impounding, stigmatisation, community ostracism and resistance to associated socio-ecological and public health consequences; (iii) limited financial resources, human technical capacity and weak community and national health system operational plans for prevention and control responses, practices and management; (iv) inadequate leadership and coordination; and (v) the lack of development of new strategies, tools and approaches, such as improved diagnostics and novel therapies including vaccines which can assist in preventing, controlling and containing Ebola outbreaks as well as the spread of the disease. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop and implement an active early warning alert and surveillance response system for outbreak response and control of emerging infectious diseases. Understanding the unending risks of transmission dynamics and resurgence is essential in implementing rapid effective response interventions tailored to specific local settings and contexts. Therefore, the following actions are recommended: (i) national and regional inter-sectorial and trans-disciplinary surveillance response systems that include early warnings, as well as critical human resources development, must be quickly adopted by allied ministries and organisations in African countries in epidemic and pandemic responses; (ii) harnessing all stakeholders commitment and advocacy in sustained funding, collaboration, communication and networking including community participation to enhance a coordinated responses, as well as tracking and prompt case management to combat challenges; (iii) more research and development in new drug discovery and vaccines; and (iv) understanding the involvement of global health to promote the establishment of public health surveillance response systems with functions of early warning, as well as monitoring and evaluation in upholding research-action programmes and innovative interventions.


id: cord-268177-byjyqisn
author: Asiedu, Edward
date: 2020-10-07
txt: ./txt/cord-268177-byjyqisn.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-268177-byjyqisn.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2020.100269
doi: 10.1016/j.wdp.2020.100269
summary:
  The formation of physical capital in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in agriculture is imperative to help the continent (1) overcome the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity and (2) still be on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of "No poverty" and "Zero hunger" in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using country-level data on 40 SSA countries from 1996 to 2014 and rainfall deviations as an instrument for agricultural official development assistance (ODA) in fixed-effect estimation settings, this paper examines the ''instantaneous'' impact of agricultural ODA on agricultural fixed capital formation in SSA. The paper studies the instantaneous impact of agricultural Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Agricultural Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The choice of controls to include in this model is informed by the literature on investments across developing countries (see Bleaney and 4 One-year lag of ODA on fixed capital formation is also estimated.

title:
  Aid to Africa’s agriculture towards building physical capital: Empirical evidence and implications for post-COVID-19 food insecurity

abstract:
  The formation of physical capital in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in agriculture is imperative to help the continent (1) overcome the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity and (2) still be on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “No poverty” and “Zero hunger” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using country-level data on 40 SSA countries from 1996 to 2014 and rainfall deviations as an instrument for agricultural official development assistance (ODA) in fixed-effect estimation settings, this paper examines the ‘instantaneous’ impact of agricultural ODA on agricultural fixed capital formation in SSA. The question here is whether aid to agriculture does translate instantaneously to building fixed capital urgently needed to address the effect of any potential crisis on food insecurity. Measuring agricultural fixed capital as fixed investments in farm machinery, dams, industrial buildings for agricultural and agro-processing, fences, ditches, drains, etc., we find that capital formation in SSA agriculture improves instantaneously with agricultural ODA inflows. Second, we find that even though rainfall deviations are associated with agricultural ODA inflows to SSA, institutions particularly those designed to control corruption and strengthen rule of law, do matter for agricultural aid inflows to SSA. These results suggest that agricultural ODA is necessary to accelerate agricultural investments and achieve food security. Our results are robust to sensitivity analysis on the specification of the instantaneous model.


id: cord-268716-lbxmteyn
author: Erokhin, Vasilii
date: 2020-08-10
txt: ./txt/cord-268716-lbxmteyn.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-268716-lbxmteyn.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32785155/
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165775
summary:
  The consecutive application of the autoregressive distributed lag method, Yamamoto''s causality test, and variance decomposition analysis allowed the authors to find the food insecurity effects of COVID-19 to be more perceptible in upper-middle-income economies than in the least developed countries. According to the FAO [2] , out of 65 developing economies and LDCs where recent adverse impacts of the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic on food security have been strongest, 52 countries rely heavily on agricultural imports. (3) revealing the impacts of food inflation and currency exchange volatilities amid the global health crisis on economic access to food in domestic markets; and (4) detailing the analysis of above-mentioned health, food security, trade, and economic parameters across an array of developing economies and LDCs. The approach employed in this study is to assess the relationships between the food security parameter, on one side, and health and macroeconomic variables that affect availability and access pillars of food security, on the other.

title:
  Impacts of COVID-19 on Trade and Economic Aspects of Food Security: Evidence from 45 Developing Countries

abstract:
  The stability of food supply chains is crucial to the food security of people around the world. Since the beginning of 2020, this stability has been undergoing one of the most vigorous pressure tests ever due to the COVID-19 outbreak. From a mere health issue, the pandemic has turned into an economic threat to food security globally in the forms of lockdowns, economic decline, food trade restrictions, and rising food inflation. It is safe to assume that the novel health crisis has badly struck the least developed and developing economies, where people are particularly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. However, due to the recency of the COVID-19 problem, the impacts of macroeconomic fluctuations on food insecurity have remained scantily explored. In this study, the authors attempted to bridge this gap by revealing interactions between the food security status of people and the dynamics of COVID-19 cases, food trade, food inflation, and currency volatilities. The study was performed in the cases of 45 developing economies distributed to three groups by the level of income. The consecutive application of the autoregressive distributed lag method, Yamamoto’s causality test, and variance decomposition analysis allowed the authors to find the food insecurity effects of COVID-19 to be more perceptible in upper-middle-income economies than in the least developed countries. In the latter, food security risks attributed to the emergence of the health crisis were mainly related to economic access to adequate food supply (food inflation), whereas in higher-income developing economies, availability-sided food security risks (food trade restrictions and currency depreciation) were more prevalent. The approach presented in this paper contributes to the establishment of a methodology framework that may equip decision-makers with up-to-date estimations of health crisis effects on economic parameters of food availability and access to staples in food-insecure communities.


id: cord-269362-pne9qolr
author: Yassi, Annalee
date: 2011-11-08
txt: ./txt/cord-269362-pne9qolr.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-269362-pne9qolr.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22166059/
doi: 10.1186/1472-698x-11-s2-s8
summary:
  Post-SARS, Canadian occupational health and infection control researchers got together to study how to better protect health workers, and found that training was indeed perceived as key to a positive safety culture. As the H1N1 pandemic struck, the online infection control course was adapted and translated into Spanish, as was a novel skill-building learning tool that permits health workers to practice selecting personal protective equipment. This international collaboration between occupational health and infection control researchers led to the improvement of the research framework and development of tools, guidelines and information systems. The workplace audit tool, developed originally in Canada by the team (comprised of experts in program evaluation, infection control, occupational health, information technology, public health and medicine), and refined from use in Ecuador and South Africa, was again adapted and workshops held to train occupational health and infection control practitioners from 7 countries across the Caribbean.

title:
  Collaboration between infection control and occupational health in three continents: a success story with international impact

abstract:
  Globalization has been accompanied by the rapid spread of infectious diseases, and further strain on working conditions for health workers globally. Post-SARS, Canadian occupational health and infection control researchers got together to study how to better protect health workers, and found that training was indeed perceived as key to a positive safety culture. This led to developing information and communication technology (ICT) tools. The research conducted also showed the need for better workplace inspections, so a workplace audit tool was also developed to supplement worker questionnaires and the ICT. When invited to join Ecuadorean colleagues to promote occupational health and infection control, these tools were collectively adapted and improved, including face-to-face as well as on-line problem-based learning scenarios. The South African government then invited the team to work with local colleagues to improve occupational health and infection control, resulting in an improved web-based health information system to track incidents, exposures, and occupational injury and diseases. As the H1N1 pandemic struck, the online infection control course was adapted and translated into Spanish, as was a novel skill-building learning tool that permits health workers to practice selecting personal protective equipment. This tool was originally developed in collaboration with the countries from the Caribbean region and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Research from these experiences led to strengthened focus on building capacity of health and safety committees, and new modules are thus being created, informed by that work. The products developed have been widely heralded as innovative and interactive, leading to their inclusion into “toolkits” used internationally. The tools used in Canada were substantially improved from the collaborative adaptation process for South and Central America and South Africa. This international collaboration between occupational health and infection control researchers led to the improvement of the research framework and development of tools, guidelines and information systems. Furthermore, the research and knowledge-transfer experience highlighted the value of partnership amongst Northern and Southern researchers in terms of sharing resources, experiences and knowledge.


id: cord-269702-20sldbte
title: Response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
author: Nkengasong, John N
date: 2018-06-14
txt: ./txt/cord-269702-20sldbte.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-269702-20sldbte.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673618313266
doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31326-6
abstract: nan
summary:
  Thus, this is the first time the DRC Government and partners are Response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo AAA screening. The global health community learned from the 2014-16 west Africa Ebola virus disease outbreak that a speedy response was vital to control the outbreak. 5 At the continental level, within 2 days of declaration of the outbreak the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which one of us (JNN) leads, had activated its Emergency Operation Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; deployed an advance team of epidemiologists to Kinshasa to assist the Ministry of Heath; and briefed an extraordinary session of the Permanent Representative Committee of the 55 African Union member states. In future, the response to a potential tenth outbreak of Ebola virus disease in DRC must be led by the country''s national public health institute.


id: cord-270143-muxrxvyo
title: Paramyxo- and Coronaviruses in Rwandan Bats
author: Markotter, Wanda
date: 2019-07-02
txt: ./txt/cord-270143-muxrxvyo.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-270143-muxrxvyo.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4030099
doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed4030099
summary:
  A high diversity of coronaand paramyxoviruses have been detected in different bat species at study sites worldwide, including Africa, however no biosurveillance studies from Rwanda have been reported. In this study, samples from bats collected from caves in Ruhengeri, Rwanda, were tested for the presence of coronaand paramyxoviral RNA using reverse transcription PCR assays. Although several surveillance studies have been implemented to detect potential zoonotic viruses in bats, including from countries in the Congo basin and East Africa, limited information is available for Rwanda. Confirmation of species identification of bats, in which viral RNA was detected, was performed by amplifying the cytochrome b (cyt b) or cytochrome oxidase one (COI) gene region and determining the DNA sequence. aegyptiacus-derived viral sequence (BatPV/Rou_aeg/UP438/RWA/2008) grouped within a Henipavirus-related clade and was near identical to a paramyxoviral sequence detected in the same host species previously reported from Kenya [36] .

abstract:
  A high diversity of corona- and paramyxoviruses have been detected in different bat species at study sites worldwide, including Africa, however no biosurveillance studies from Rwanda have been reported. In this study, samples from bats collected from caves in Ruhengeri, Rwanda, were tested for the presence of corona- and paramyxoviral RNA using reverse transcription PCR assays. Positive results were further characterized by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition to morphological identification of bat species, we also did molecular confirmation of species identities, contributing to the known genetic database available for African bat species. We detected a novel Betacoronavirus in two Geoffroy’s horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus clivosus) bats. We also detected several different paramyxoviral species from various insectivorous bats. One of these viral species was found to be homologous to the genomes of viruses belonging to the Jeilongvirus genus. Additionally, a Henipavirus-related sequence was detected in an Egyptian rousette fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus). These results expand on the known diversity of corona- and paramyxoviruses and their geographical distribution in Africa.


id: cord-272991-opvs2ejd
author: Masiira, Ben
date: 2020-10-13
txt: ./txt/cord-272991-opvs2ejd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-272991-opvs2ejd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33051282/
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002874
summary:
  Since 2018, AFENET has deployed the ACoDD to support response to several PHEs. The main challenges faced during ACoDD deployments were financing of operations, ACoDD safety and security, resistance to interventions and distrust of the responders by some communities. 6 However, data at the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) show that the sub-Saharan region Summary box ► Innovative strategies can be applied to leverage the inadequate public health workforce to address public health challenges including emergencies. The ninth Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, May-July 2018 Soon after ACoDD was launched, AFENET received a request from the DRC Ministry of Health to support the response to the EVD outbreak in Équateur Province. Between 10 May and 24 July 2018, AFENET, in collaboration with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deployed a team of 84 ACoDD members to support the national RRT contributing a total of 2590 person-days of deployment.

title:
  Building a new platform to support public health emergency response in Africa: the AFENET Corps of Disease Detectives, 2018–2019

abstract:
  Public health emergency (PHE) response in sub-Saharan Africa is constrained by inadequate skilled public health workforce and underfunding. Since 2005, the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) has been supporting field epidemiology capacity development and innovative strategies are required to use this workforce. In 2018, AFENET launched a continental rapid response team: the AFENET Corps of Disease Detectives (ACoDD). ACoDD comprises field epidemiology graduates and residents and was established to support PHE response. Since 2018, AFENET has deployed the ACoDD to support response to several PHEs. The main challenges faced during ACoDD deployments were financing of operations, ACoDD safety and security, resistance to interventions and distrust of the responders by some communities. Our experience during these deployments showed that it was feasible to mobilise and deploy ACoDD within 48 hours. However, the sustainability of deployments will depend on establishing strong linkages with the employers of ACoDD members. PHEs are effectively controlled when there is a fast deployment and strong linkages between the stakeholders. There are ongoing efforts to strengthen PHE preparedness and response in sub-Saharan Africa. ACoDD members are a competent workforce that can effectively augment PHE response. ACoDD teams mentored front-line health workers and community health workers who are critical in PHE response. Public health emergence response in sub-Saharan Africa is constrained by inadequacies in a skilled workforce and underfunding. ACoDD can be utilised to overcome the challenges of accessing a skilled public health workforce. To improve health security in sub-Saharan Africa, more financing of PHE response is needed.


id: cord-273605-vzmn6zep
title: The potential effect of the African population age structure on COVID-19 mortality
author: Mougeni, F.
date: 2020-05-21
txt: ./txt/cord-273605-vzmn6zep.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-273605-vzmn6zep.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.19.20106914
doi: 10.1101/2020.05.19.20106914
summary:
  As COVID-19 mortality occurs mainly in elderly and as Africa has a comparably young population, the death rates should be lower than on other continents. We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMR) using age-specific case fatality rates for COVID-19 and the age structure of the population of Africa and of other continents. It is useful to quantify the isolated effect of the African age-structure on potential COVID-19 mortality for illustrative and communication purposes, keeping in mind the importance of public health measures that have been shown to be effective in reducing cases and deaths. As age-specific case fatality rates for COVID-19 are available, and the age structure of the population of Africa and of other continents is known, it is possible to calculate the comparative effect of age using methods known from indirect age adjustment. Authors of mathematical models predicting COVID-19 mortality in Africa acknowledge the strong effect of age in the African population.

abstract:
  Currently (mid May 2020), most active cases of COVID-19 are found in Europe and North America while it is still in the initial phases in Africa. As COVID-19 mortality occurs mainly in elderly and as Africa has a comparably young population, the death rates should be lower than on other continents. We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMR) using age-specific case fatality rates for COVID-19 and the age structure of the population of Africa and of other continents. Compared to a European or Northern American population, the standardised mortality ratio was only 0.22 and 0.25, respectively, corresponding to reduction of deaths rates to a quarter. Compared to the Asian and Latin American & Caribbean population, the SMR was 0.43 and 0.44, respectively, corresponding to half the death rate for Africa. It is useful to quantify the isolated effect of the African age-structure on potential COVID-19 mortality for illustrative and communication purposes, keeping in mind the importance of public health measures that have been shown to be effective in reducing cases and deaths. The different aspect of age pyramids of a European and an African population are striking and the potential implications for the pandemic are often discussed but rarely quantified.


id: cord-274580-h7sxkqw7
title: China''s unique role in the field of global health
author: Cheng, Yang
date: 2019-11-25
txt: ./txt/cord-274580-h7sxkqw7.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-274580-h7sxkqw7.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2414644719302702
doi: 10.1016/j.glohj.2019.11.004
summary:
  Consistent with its emphasis on promoting global health, China follows the norm of "building a community of shared future for mankind", which operates as a guiding principle for China when it participates in global governance, as proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, in keeping with the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. The first is to advocate the Belt and Road Initiative that seeks to share China''s experience and wisdom with the world, to promote global peace and cooperation, and to engage in joint development endeavors. To improve China-Africa Cooperation in public health, there could be a variety of ways, including regularly communicating and discussing relevant topics, short-term training (10 days) and further study (3 months) programs for the Belt and Road countries in Africa, holding seminars, and sending experts to introduce the international public health development aid and enhance capacity to participate.

abstract:
  Abstract China's participation in global governance, inspired by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is driven by the guiding principle of “building a community of shared future for mankind”. China has been promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation and has made significant contributions to the prosperity of human beings. Along with the opportunities that globalization brought about such as the World Health Organization and the boom in the economy, global health challenges also emerged. This resulted in certain obstacles for China when it sought to advocate the Belt and Road Initiative and when it attempted to carry out its strategy to address global health issues. What are the emerging challenges for global health? What can China do for global health? Why does global health need China? We tried to address these questions as China's global engagement continues to expand in the new era. This article makes the case for Chinese approaches, including getting involved in public health, being consistent in addressing local conditions, sharing China's experience with handling health services, and strengthening government-led action while being guided by relative policies. China has a lot to offer in the promotion of global health and in overcoming the challenges and risks that this goal currently faces. Thus, China should be considered an inseparable part of global health governance and bilateral health development cooperation.


id: cord-275334-0689o76n
title: The Economic Costs of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from a Simulation Exercise for Ghana
author: Amewu, Sena
date: 2020-10-30
txt: ./txt/cord-275334-0689o76n.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-275334-0689o76n.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-020-00332-6
doi: 10.1057/s41287-020-00332-6
summary:
  Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model results show that Ghana''s urban lockdown, although in force for only three weeks in April 2020, has likely caused GDP to fall by 27.9% during that period, while an additional 3.8 million Ghanaians temporarily became poor. SAM multiplier models are ideally suited to measuring short-term direct and indirect impacts of unanticipated, rapid-onset demand-or supply-side economic shocks such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through capturing the complex linkages between various economic sectors as well as household employment and consumption patterns, SAM multiplier models can be used to simulate the direct and indirect effects of economic shocks on domestic production, value-added (GDP), employment, and household income and poverty. Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) multiplier models are ideally suited to measuring short-term direct and indirect impacts of unanticipated, rapid-onset demand-or supply-side economic shocks, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (Breisinger et al.

abstract:
  Globally, countries have resorted to social distancing, travel restrictions and economic lockdowns to reduce transmission of COVID-19. The socioeconomic costs of these blunt measures are expected to be high, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where many live hand-to-mouth and lack social safety nets. Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model results show that Ghana’s urban lockdown, although in force for only three weeks in April 2020, has likely caused GDP to fall by 27.9% during that period, while an additional 3.8 million Ghanaians temporarily became poor. Compared to the government’s revised GDP growth rate of 1.5% for 2020, the model predicts a contraction of 0.6 to 6.3% for 2020, depending on the speed of the recovery. The US$200 million budgeted for Ghana’s Coronavirus Alleviation Program will close only a small part of the estimated US$ 2.3 billion GDP gap between the fast recovery scenario and government’s revised GDP trajectory.


id: cord-275487-87763q62
author: Malherbe, Petrus
date: 2020-09-28
txt: ./txt/cord-275487-87763q62.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-275487-87763q62.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2211419X2030094X
doi: 10.1016/j.afjem.2020.08.005
summary:
  These guidance documents include, but are not limited to, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), protocols and algorithms that are contextually appropriate for SSA. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of prehospital-relevant guidance documents, including CPGs, algorithms, protocols and position statements originating from SSA. Conversely, most of the guidance documents lack an appropriate evidence foundation and fail to transparently report the guidance development process, highlighting the need to strengthen and build guideline development capacity to promote the transition from eminence-based to evidence-based guidance for prehospital care in SSA. This potential lack of available upto-date high-quality prehospital guidance is not just a major concern for clinicians, but for guideline developers as well. We included any prehospital-relevant guidance documents (considering the broadest definition, e.g. protocols, patient care pathways, standard operating procedures) published either in English or French since 2005, and published in countries within SSA as stipulated by the United Nations (UN) [23] , listed in Appendix 1.

title:
  Guidance we can trust? The status and quality of prehospital clinical guidance in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

abstract:
  INTRODUCTION: Prehospital care is integral in addressing sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) high injury and illness burden. Consequently, robust, high-quality prehospital guidance documents are needed to inform care. These guidance documents include, but are not limited to, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), protocols and algorithms that are contextually appropriate for SSA. However, SSA prehospital guidance mostly originates from the ‘Global North,’ with limited guidance for Africa by Africans. To strengthen prehospital clinical practice in SSA, we described and appraised all prehospital SSA guidance documents informing clinical decision making. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of prehospital-relevant guidance documents, including CPGs, algorithms, protocols and position statements originating from SSA. We performed a comprehensive literature search in various databases (PUBMED and SCOPUS), guideline clearing houses (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Trip, and Guidelines International Network), journals, various forms of grey literature and contacted experts. Guidance document screening and data extraction was done independently, in duplicate and reviewed by a third author. Guidance quality was then determined using the AGREE II tool and data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS: We included 51 guidance documents from 13 countries across SSA after screening 2320 potential documents. The majority of guidance documents lacked an evidence foundation, made recommendations based on expert input, and were predominantly end-user presentations such as algorithms or protocols. Overall, reporting quality was poor, specifically for critical domains such as rigour of development; however, clarity of presentation was generally strong. Guidance topics were focused around resuscitation and common diseases (both communicable and non-communicable) with major gaps identified across a variety of topics; such as mental health for example. CONCLUSION: The majority of prehospital clinical guidance from SSA provides clinicians with excellent ready to use end-user material. Conversely, most of the guidance documents lack an appropriate evidence foundation and fail to transparently report the guidance development process, highlighting the need to strengthen and build guideline development capacity to promote the transition from eminence-based to evidence-based guidance for prehospital care in SSA. Guideline developers, professional societies and publishers need to be aware of international and local guidance document development and reporting standards in order to produce guidance we can trust.


id: cord-277446-0e6akcjf
title: China''s distinctive engagement in global health
author: Liu, Peilong
date: 2014-08-28
txt: ./txt/cord-277446-0e6akcjf.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-277446-0e6akcjf.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014067361460725X
doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(14)60725-x
summary:
  China''s health aid deploys medical teams, constructs facilities, donates drugs and equipment, trains personnel, and supports malaria control mainly in Africa and Asia. Regression analysis of African countries with variables of health aid (medical teams, donated facilities, malaria control) and economic interests (petroleum imports, China''s foreign investment, and China''s imports and exports) yielded no signifi cant pattern. 29 International eff orts include active participation and leadership in many international forums that foster cooperation in compliance of disease reporting and control, as shown by the initiation of the UN resolution on enhancement of capacity-building in global public health in 2003, and the joint International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Infl uenza with China, the European Commission, and the World Bank held in Beijing in 2006.

abstract:
  China has made rapid progress in four key domains of global health. China's health aid deploys medical teams, constructs facilities, donates drugs and equipment, trains personnel, and supports malaria control mainly in Africa and Asia. Prompted by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, China has prioritised the control of cross-border transmission of infectious diseases and other health-related risks. In governance, China has joined UN and related international bodies and has begun to contribute to pooled multilateral funds. China is both a knowledge producer and sharer, offering lessons based on its health accomplishments, traditional Chinese medicine, and research and development investment in drug discovery. Global health capacity is being developed in medical universities in China, which also train foreign medical students. China's approach to global health is distinctive; different from other countries; and based on its unique history, comparative strength, and policies driven by several governmental ministries. The scope and depth of China's global engagement are likely to grow and reshape the contours of global health.


id: cord-278011-15t6gyy7
title: Implications of COVID-19 infections in sickle cell disease
author: John, Nitin Ashok
date: 2020-06-09
txt: ./txt/cord-278011-15t6gyy7.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-278011-15t6gyy7.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.36.81.23776
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.81.23776
summary:
  Nearly 2/3(rd) of the global burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is found to be in sub-Saharan Africa. There is increased mortality risk in sickle cell disease patients in Africa due to associated complications such as acute chest syndrome, asthma, pulmonary emboli and sepsis. Around 2/3 rd of the sickle cell disease patients of the global burden reside in sub-Saharan Africa [1] . The additional financial burden of supporting health care management system in tackling COVID-19 impact at the same time preventing mortality rate of COVID-19 deaths is a matter of great concern in Africa [3] . They found that though morbidity and mortality were higher in children with sickle cell disease, these were reduced by early diagnosis and supportive care management. COVID-19 infections in SCD can also increase morbidity and mortality risk in these patients [8, 9] . Sickle cell disease in Africa: a neglected cause of early childhood mortality COVID-19 infection in patients with sickle cell disease

abstract:
  Sickle cell disease is a major concern of public health significance in Africa. Nearly 2/3(rd) of the global burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is found to be in sub-Saharan Africa. There is increased mortality risk in sickle cell disease patients in Africa due to associated complications such as acute chest syndrome, asthma, pulmonary emboli and sepsis. Sickle cell disease management is the major contributor of financial burden on the government. Moreover, there is a shortage of medical specialists in Africa. COVID-19 pandemic has further led to devastating impact on economy and health globally. The chances of SCD patient contracting COVID-19 infections are higher as these patients are immunocompromised and may be at a higher risk of mortality. Practicing preventive measures including isolation and social distancing by these patients will prevent mortality rates as well as economic burden on government in the present unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.


id: cord-278022-sc02fyqs
title: On COVID-19 and Matters Arising
author: Ogundiran, Akin
date: 2020-06-05
txt: ./txt/cord-278022-sc02fyqs.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-278022-sc02fyqs.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-020-09390-x
doi: 10.1007/s10437-020-09390-x
abstract: nan
summary:
  The final phase of the editorial process that culminated in this issue of African Archaeological Review (Volume 36, 2) took place in the atmosphere of panic and uncertainties unleashed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These concepts-for which I will use the acronym, VCRRS-are often invoked in discussions about how past societies have coped with (or failed to manage) climate change, natural disaster, conflict, ecological degradation, resource scarcity, and social inequality and the implications for the present and future. Heritage studies must take advantage of the interdisciplinary approaches of archaeology so that it can be relevant to the needs of African peoples, especially by supporting the quest to liberate Africa from economic and intellectual dependency rather than perpetuating that dependency. A forum has been convened for future publication in the African Archaeological Review that will explore some aspects of this question while also providing a platform to discuss what we are learning in African archaeology and heritage studies from the social, political, economic, and ecological dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic.


id: cord-278881-bj5ebk2s
author: Binagwaho, Agnes
date: 2020-08-19
txt: ./txt/cord-278881-bj5ebk2s.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-278881-bj5ebk2s.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3001
doi: 10.5334/aogh.3001
summary:
  Implementation research is a tool that can be used by countries to learn how to identify and understand contextual factors impacting COVID-19 prevention and control and select evidence-based interventions and strategies known to reduce spread of the virus. Implementation research is a tool that can be used by countries to learn how to identify and understand contextual factors impacting COVID-19 prevention and control and select evidence-based interventions and strategies known to reduce spread of the virus. Implementation science methods can serve to develop knowledge at a country and regional level on how to identify, utilize, and address these and other contextual factors, and inform relevant evidence-based interventions and implementation strategies. The responses in these countries show that effective outbreak prevention is not due to the strength of the health system, but more the ability to identify and address the right contextual factors, with strong leadership, when rapidly and effectively implementing evidence-based interventions [11, 12] .

title:
  Changing the COVID-19 Narrative in Africa: Using an Implementation Research Lens to Understand Successes and Plan for Challenges Ahead

abstract:
  Despite predictions that the number of deaths in Africa due to COVID-19 will reach 10 million, overall, the continent has reported relatively few cases compared to the rest of the world. Many African countries have been successful in containing initial outbreaks by rapidly using evidence-based interventions through implementation strategies adapted from other countries’ COVID-19 response as well as from prior epidemics. However, it is unclear whether these interventions will lead to long-term and complete success in stopping COVID-19 spread. Implementation research is a tool that can be used by countries to learn how to identify and understand contextual factors impacting COVID-19 prevention and control and select evidence-based interventions and strategies known to reduce spread of the virus. We identify seven key contextual factors that are facilitators or barriers to implementation of these interventions, and several strategies that can be leveraged if the factor is present or ones to strengthen if weak to improve implementation. These factors are: a culture of accountability, national coordination, financial stability of the population, culture of innovation, culture and capacity for research, health systems strength, and cross-border economies. Implementation science methods can serve to develop knowledge at a country and regional level on how to identify, utilize, and address these and other contextual factors, and inform relevant evidence-based interventions and implementation strategies. This approach can support African countries’ ability to address key challenges as they arise, both in fighting COVID-19 and future health systems challenges.


id: cord-279401-eehb5yny
title: ‘When will I be free’: Lessons of COVID-19 for Child Protection in South Africa
author: Haffejee, Sadiyya
date: 2020-09-04
txt: ./txt/cord-279401-eehb5yny.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-279401-eehb5yny.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33071025/
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104715
summary:
  Children residing at a child and youth care centre in Gauteng, South Africa (herewith referred to as CYCC X) were invited to participate in the study. In South Africa, the social and economic disruptions caused by the pandemic and associated lockdown, combined with long-term structural social, economic and political inequality, and failures within government has impacted on service delivery, access to resources and availability of supportive networks, the absence of which increases vulnerability and heightens levels of anxiety and stress in children. In this exploratory study we aimed to address the research question ''What can the experiences and perspectives of South African children in care during lockdown tell us about the themes we should focus on to improve care moving forward?'' As the findings emerged, we noted that there were a number of domains of concern that reflect the social ecologies in which our participants operated.

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has highlighted and amplified structural inequalities; drawing attention to issues of racism, poverty, xenophobia as well as arguably ineffective government policies and procedures. In South Africa, the pandemic and the resultant national lockdown has highlighted the shortcomings in the protection and care of children. Children in alternative care are particularly at risk as a result of disrupted and uncoordinated service delivery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impact of the pandemic and the resulting social isolation on the wellbeing and protection of children living in a residential care facility. Methods and participants: We used qualitative, participatory approaches – specifically draw-and-write methods – to engage with 32 children (average age = 13.5 years) living in a residential care facility in Gauteng. FINDINGS: Children in care demonstrated an awareness of the socio-economic difficulties facing communities in South Africa, and shared deep concerns about the safety, well-being and welfare of parents and siblings. Although they expressed frustration at the lack of contact with family members, they acknowledged the resources they had access to in a residential care facility, which enabled them to cope and which ensured their safety. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We focus our discussion on the necessity of a systemic response to child welfare, including a coordinated approach by policy makers, government departments and child welfare systems to address the structural factors at the root of inequality and inadequate, unacceptable care. This is essential not only during COVID-19 but also in pre- and post-pandemic context.


id: cord-280030-neqycg6v
title: Clinical Features and Patient Management of Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever
author: Sewlall, Nivesh H.
date: 2014-11-13
txt: ./txt/cord-280030-neqycg6v.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-280030-neqycg6v.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25393244/
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003233
summary:
  BACKGROUND: In 2008 a nosocomial outbreak of five cases of viral hemorrhagic fever due to a novel arenavirus, Lujo virus, occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa. Distinctive treatment components of the one surviving patient included rapid commencement of the antiviral drug ribavirin and administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), N-acetylcysteine, and recombinant factor VIIa. CONCLUSIONS: Lujo virus causes a clinical syndrome remarkably similar to Lassa fever. We describe the clinical features of the five recognized cases of Lujo hemorrhagic fever (LHF) in the 2008 outbreak in South Africa and summarize their clinical management, as well as providing additional epidemiologic detail, with a focus on the risks for secondary transmission. In 2008, an outbreak of a novel hemorrhagic fever virus called Lujo occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa, with secondary transmission from the index patient to four healthcare workers.

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: In 2008 a nosocomial outbreak of five cases of viral hemorrhagic fever due to a novel arenavirus, Lujo virus, occurred in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lujo virus is only the second pathogenic arenavirus, after Lassa virus, to be recognized in Africa and the first in over 40 years. Because of the remote, resource-poor, and often politically unstable regions where Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers typically occur, there have been few opportunities to undertake in-depth study of their clinical manifestations, transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, or response to treatment options typically available in industrialized countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We describe the clinical features of five cases of Lujo hemorrhagic fever and summarize their clinical management, as well as providing additional epidemiologic detail regarding the 2008 outbreak. Illness typically began with the abrupt onset of fever, malaise, headache, and myalgias followed successively by sore throat, chest pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, minor hemorrhage, subconjunctival injection, and neck and facial swelling over the first week of illness. No major hemorrhage was noted. Neurological signs were sometimes seen in the late stages. Shock and multi-organ system failure, often with evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, ensued in the second week, with death in four of the five cases. Distinctive treatment components of the one surviving patient included rapid commencement of the antiviral drug ribavirin and administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), N-acetylcysteine, and recombinant factor VIIa. CONCLUSIONS: Lujo virus causes a clinical syndrome remarkably similar to Lassa fever. Considering the high case-fatality and significant logistical impediments to controlled treatment efficacy trials for viral hemorrhagic fever, it is both logical and ethical to explore the use of the various compounds used in the treatment of the surviving case reported here in future outbreaks. Clinical observations should be systematically recorded to facilitate objective evaluation of treatment efficacy. Due to the risk of secondary transmission, viral hemorrhagic fever precautions should be implemented for all cases of Lujo virus infection, with specialized precautions to protect against aerosols when performing enhanced-risk procedures such as endotracheal intubation.


id: cord-280331-iu2e14jo
title: Predicting COVID-19 spread in the face of control measures in West-Africa
author: Taboe, Hémaho B.
date: 2020-07-29
txt: ./txt/cord-280331-iu2e14jo.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-280331-iu2e14jo.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32738248/
doi: 10.1016/j.mbs.2020.108431
summary:
  Considering currently applied health control measures, numerical simulations of the model using baseline parameter values estimated from West-African COVID-19 data project a 67% reduction in the daily number of cases when the epidemic attains its peak. We conclude that curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic burden significantly in West-Africa requires more control measures than those that have already been implemented, as well as more mass testing and contact tracing in order to identify and isolate asymptomatic individuals early. Heat maps were plotted to investigate the individual and combined effects of pairs of control measures such as contact tracing, isolation, and using control measures that lead to a reduction in disease transmission, e.g., lockdowns, social and physical distancing, mask use, etc., on COVID-19 in West-Africa (Fig. 4) .

abstract:
  The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing devastating demographic, social, and economic damage globally. Understanding current patterns of the pandemic spread and forecasting its long-term trajectory is essential in guiding policies aimed at curtailing the pandemic. This is particularly important in regions with weak economies and fragile health care systems such as West-Africa. We formulate and use a deterministic compartmental model to (i) assess the current patterns of COVID-19 spread in West-Africa, (ii) evaluate the impact of currently implemented control measures, and (iii) predict the future course of the pandemic with and without currently implemented and additional control measures in West-Africa. An analytical expression for the threshold level of control measures (involving a reduction in the effective contact rate) required to curtail the pandemic is computed. Considering currently applied health control measures, numerical simulations of the model using baseline parameter values estimated from West-African COVID-19 data project a 67% reduction in the daily number of cases when the epidemic attains its peak. More reduction in the number of cases will be achieved if additional public health control measures that result in a reduction in the effective contact rate are implemented. We found out that disease elimination is difficult when more asymptomatic individuals contribute in transmission or are not identified and isolated in a timely manner. However, maintaining a baseline level of asymptomatic isolation and a low transmission rate will lead to a significant reduction in the number of daily cases when the pandemic peaks. For example, at the baseline level of asymptomatic isolation, at least a 46% reduction in the transmission rate is required for disease elimination. Additionally, disease elimination is possible if asymptomatic individuals are identified and isolated within 5 days (after the incubation period). Combining two or more measures is better for disease control, e.g., if asymptomatic cases are contact traced or identified and isolated in less than 8 days, only about 29% reduction in the disease transmission rate is required for disease elimination. Furthermore, we showed that the currently implemented measures triggered a 33% reduction in the time-dependent effective reproduction number between February 28 and June 26, 2020. We conclude that curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic burden significantly in West-Africa requires more control measures than those that have already been implemented, as well as more mass testing and contact tracing in order to identify and isolate asymptomatic individuals early.


id: cord-282073-738h46g0
title: Rural communities in Africa should not be forgotten in responses to COVID‐19
author: Ogunkola, Isaac Olushola
date: 2020-08-13
txt: ./txt/cord-282073-738h46g0.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-282073-738h46g0.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3039
doi: 10.1002/hpm.3039
summary:
  authors: Ogunkola, Isaac Olushola; Adebisi, Yusuff Adebayo; Imo, Uchenna Frank; Odey, Goodness Ogeyi; Esu, Ekpereonne; Lucero‐Prisno, Don Eliseo Shortage of healthcare workforce in these areas, poor health facilities/structures and limited access to COVID‐19 diagnostics services may also make containment challenging. Shortage of healthcare workforce in these areas, poor health facilities/structures and limited access to COVID-19 diagnostics services may also make containment challenging. It is therefore important that investment should be made in these areas towards providing the necessary tools, resources, and manpower to ensure effective containment of COVID-19 and to alleviate the plight caused by the pandemic in rural Africa. Although there has been a number of actions implemented to address the pandemic and its impact, the increasing number of COVID-19 cases poses a major threat particularly with the various limitations and challenges that plague health services in rural areas of the continent.

abstract:
  Rural areas in Africa make up a large proportion of the continent. Since the emergence of COVID‐19 on the continent, major attention and responses have been placed on urban areas. Rural areas are typified by certain challenges which may serve as limitations to the provision of resources and tools for COVID‐19 responses in these areas. These major challenges include limited access to these areas due to poor road networks which may hamper the possibility of conveying resources and manpower. Shortage of healthcare workforce in these areas, poor health facilities/structures and limited access to COVID‐19 diagnostics services may also make containment challenging. It is therefore important that investment should be made in these areas towards providing the necessary tools, resources, and manpower to ensure effective containment of COVID‐19 and to alleviate the plight caused by the pandemic in rural Africa. Rural communities in Africa should not be left behind in COVID‐19 responses.


id: cord-283756-ycjzitlk
title: Potential for Introduction of Bat-Borne Zoonotic Viruses into the EU: A Review
author: Simons, Robin R. L.
date: 2014-05-16
txt: ./txt/cord-283756-ycjzitlk.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-283756-ycjzitlk.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.3390/v6052084
doi: 10.3390/v6052084
summary:
  Bat-borne viruses can pose a serious threat to human health, with examples including Nipah virus (NiV) in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and Marburg virus (MARV) in Africa. In assessing the risks of introduction of these bat-borne zoonotic viruses to the EU, it is important to consider the location and range of bat species known to be susceptible to infection, together with the virus prevalence, seasonality of viral pulses, duration of infection and titre of virus in different bat tissues. Bats are known to have varying degrees of contact with domestic animals and commercial food crops [20, 21] , in particular contact of Pteropus giganteus bats with date palm sap producing trees in Bangladesh is considered a risk factor for human NiV infection [22] . It can be seen that while recent human infections of both NiV and MARV appear to be limited in geographical range (the red areas in Figure 2 ), there are a number of countries where bats have been identified as having the virus, but no human infection has been reported.

abstract:
  Bat-borne viruses can pose a serious threat to human health, with examples including Nipah virus (NiV) in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and Marburg virus (MARV) in Africa. To date, significant human outbreaks of such viruses have not been reported in the European Union (EU). However, EU countries have strong historical links with many of the countries where NiV and MARV are present and a corresponding high volume of commercial trade and human travel, which poses a potential risk of introduction of these viruses into the EU. In assessing the risks of introduction of these bat-borne zoonotic viruses to the EU, it is important to consider the location and range of bat species known to be susceptible to infection, together with the virus prevalence, seasonality of viral pulses, duration of infection and titre of virus in different bat tissues. In this paper, we review the current scientific knowledge of all these factors, in relation to the introduction of NiV and MARV into the EU.


id: cord-283812-ocfjj79v
author: Blumberg, Lucille
date: 2016-06-15
txt: ./txt/cord-283812-ocfjj79v.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-283812-ocfjj79v.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2016.06.011
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.06.011
summary:
  • The 2013–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa that resulted in over 28 637 cases and 11 315 deaths required that countries holding these events put in place public health programmes for enhanced surveillance and specific response plans for any suspected cases of EVD. 7, 8 The unprecedented Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa 9 and the ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in South America 10, 11 were declared Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in August 2014 and February 2016, respectively. 4, 14, 15 The 2013-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa, which resulted in over 28 637 cases and 11 315 deaths, 16 required that countries holding these events put in place public health programmes for enhanced surveillance and specific response plans for any suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF).

title:
  Hosting of mass gathering sporting events during the 2013–2016 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa: experience from three African countries

abstract:
  • Mass gatherings at sporting events attract millions of international and national host-country travellers, who may put themselves at risk of acquiring local endemic infectious diseases. • The 2013–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa that resulted in over 28 637 cases and 11 315 deaths required that countries holding these events put in place public health programmes for enhanced surveillance and specific response plans for any suspected cases of EVD. • Three major sports events were held in Africa during the EVD outbreak, attended by athletes from numerous African countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, the three countries most affected by EVD: the African Youth Games (Botswana), Africa Cup of Nations (Equatorial Guinea), and All-Africa Games (Republic of Congo). • A large range of infectious diseases other than EVD were considered with respect to the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illnesses and for the provision of laboratory diagnostics and treatment options. • The experience from these three mass gathering events during the Ebola epidemic illustrates that these events can be held safely provided that countries put measures in place for enhanced surveillance and response systems for communicable diseases.


id: cord-286139-27domp9w
title: Coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: let us not leave older people behind!
author: Dramé, Moustapha
date: 2020-04-22
txt: ./txt/cord-286139-27domp9w.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-286139-27domp9w.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32323250/
doi: 10.1007/s41999-020-00324-z
abstract: nan
summary:
  title: Coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: let us not leave older people behind! At present, certain colleagues affirm that Africa is more prepared than ever to face the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the lessons they have learned from epidemics such as Ebola [4] . Indeed, in the case of the current COVID-19 crisis, in Sub-Saharan Africa, no specific measures have been taken to protect elders, as there have been in high-income countries. If the epidemic continues along current trajectories, African countries are or will be among the last to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet they are likely to draw but little benefit from the experience acquired in western countries, notably because the measures applied in high-income countries are not appropriate solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic: what are the risks for older patients?


id: cord-286411-7sgr29xx
title: Critical shifts in the global tourism industry: perspectives from Africa
author: Zhou, Zibanai
date: 2020-10-06
txt: ./txt/cord-286411-7sgr29xx.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-286411-7sgr29xx.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10297-y
doi: 10.1007/s10708-020-10297-y
summary:
  Drawing upon a sample of thirty tourism experts in southern Africa, the critical shifts were identified and key among them include BRICS, terrorism, ageing population, and trophy hunting, are increasingly framing a new narrative for the future growth trajectory of the international tourism industry''s value chain in the context of Africa. Whilst acknowledging the diverse and richness of the current international tourism body of literature, the current study argues that very little attempts have been made to explore the policy and product development implications of the constructs of BRICS, terrorism, ageing population and trophy hunting in the context of Africa. Looking into the future, there is substantial room for growth in Africa''s travel and tourism market, particularly in light of current sectoral growth patterns, as international tourists are increasingly interested in developing countries as travel destinations, provide the region properly align its tourism sector to dynamics obtaining in the marketplace.

abstract:
  The study investigates critical shifts impacting the international tourism space in contemporary times. Furthermore, the current study examines tourism policies and product development challenges faced by tourist regions as a consequence of market dynamics. Drawing upon a sample of thirty tourism experts in southern Africa, the critical shifts were identified and key among them include BRICS, terrorism, ageing population, and trophy hunting, are increasingly framing a new narrative for the future growth trajectory of the international tourism industry’s value chain in the context of Africa. A conclusion is reached that to attain long term sustainable development of the sunrise multi-trillion dollar industry, it is critical that tourism operators re-set and deploy sharpened strategies which are in synch with the realities obtaining in the broader operating environment. Policy recommendations and managerial implications are proffered.


id: cord-286548-7or373vf
title: Leveraging investments in Ebola preparedness for COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa
author: Ayebare, Rodgers
date: 2020-03-18
txt: ./txt/cord-286548-7or373vf.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-286548-7or373vf.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13052.1
doi: 10.12688/aasopenres.13052.1
summary:
  The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in China and transmission to more than 80 territories worldwide, including nine countries in Africa, presents a delicate situation for low-resource settings. We, therefore, questioned whether capacities enhanced for EVD could be leveraged to SARS-CoV-2, a biologically distinct virus requiring a broader public health response. Unfortunately, these same countries must also plan for scenarios with concurrent outbreaks for COVID-19 and EVD and test their systems to ensure resilience against resource limitations and workforce fatigue. Although challenges remain, African countries that have been supported for EVD preparedness in ongoing and past EVD outbreaks have capacities that can be enhanced for the COVID-19 preparedness and response. This concise, well-expressed open letter addresses the highly relevant topic of commonalities in emergency responses for immunization, EVD and COVID-19 and their importance to health system strength and resilience.

abstract:
  The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in China and transmission to more than 80 territories worldwide, including nine countries in Africa, presents a delicate situation for low-resource settings. Countries in Eastern and Central Africa have been on high alert since mid-2018 in anticipation of regional spread of the Ebola virus from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Significant investment has been made to support enhanced surveillance at point of entry and hospitals, infection control practices, clinical case management, and clinical research. With a new threat on the horizon, African countries have an opportunity to leverage the existing capacities for Ebola preparedness to brace for the imminent threat.


id: cord-286975-id5dn795
title: Life Under Lockdown: Illustrating Tradeoffs in South Africa’s Response to COVID-19
author: Carlitz, Ruth D.
date: 2020-08-28
txt: ./txt/cord-286975-id5dn795.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-286975-id5dn795.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105168
doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105168
summary:
  Using anonymized mobile phone data, we show that South Africans in all provinces reduced their mobility substantially in response to the government''s lockdown orders. While this suggests the lockdown measures have been effective in achieving their goals, we also reflect on how the government''s response and corresponding mobility reductions interact with existing inequalities, keeping in mind the country''s status as the world''s most unequal nation. This section examines how South African citizens responded to the government''s strict containment measures, drawing on Google''s COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. Figure 3 shows that South Africa 10 consistently "outperforms" its peers in terms of reduced mobility relative to the stringency of government response with the exception of grocery and pharmacy visits reflecting the exemption of such businesses from the lockdown order. South Africa''s strict lockdown policies --and corresponding reductions in mobility by the country''s citizens --were put in place with the aim of reducing the spread of COVID-19.

abstract:
  This research note sheds light on the first three months of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa, where the virus has spread faster than anywhere else in the region. At the same time, South Africa has been recognized globally for its swift and efficient early response. We consider the impact of this response on different segments of the population, looking at changes in mobility by province to highlight variation in the willingness and ability of different subsets of the population to comply with lockdown orders. Using anonymized mobile phone data, we show that South Africans in all provinces reduced their mobility substantially in response to the government’s lockdown orders. Statistical regression analysis shows that such mobility reductions are significantly and negatively associated with COVID-19 growth rates two weeks later. These findings add an important perspective to the emerging literature on the efficacy of shelter-in-place orders, which to date is dominated by studies of the United States. We show that people were particularly willing and able to act in the provinces hit hardest by the pandemic in its initial stages. At the same time, compliance with lockdown orders presented a greater challenge among rural populations and others with more precarious livelihoods. By reflecting on South Africa’s inequality profile and results of a recent survey, we demonstrate how the country’s response may deepen preexisting divides. This cautionary tale is relevant beyond South Africa, as much of the continent -- and the world -- grapples with similar tradeoffs. Along with measures to contain the spread of disease, governments and other development focused organizations should seriously consider how to offset the costs faced by already marginalized populations.


id: cord-287247-vv0zc0gd
title: Malaria and Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases: Potential Syndemics with COVID-19?
author: Gutman, Julie R.
date: 2020-06-01
txt: ./txt/cord-287247-vv0zc0gd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-287247-vv0zc0gd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0516
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0516
summary:
  With many LMICs implementing movement restrictions or ordering their populations to stay at home to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission, the threat to essential health services is likely to be immediate, causing delays to diagnosis and treatment for other diseases, including malaria and NTDs. During the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, there were substantial reductions in all-cause outpatient visits and patients treated with antimalarial drugs 2 ; modeling the potential for similar disruptions in malaria control due to COVID-19 suggests that there could be up to an estimated 769,000 deaths due to malaria in 2020 (approximately double the number seen in 2018), mostly among children younger than 5 years. 58 Thus, coinfection with parasitic NTDs could result in altered risks and severity of clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the potential for decreased development of immunity with increased viral loads.

abstract:
  The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, have surpassed 5 million cases globally. Current models suggest that low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will have a similar incidence but substantially lower mortality rate than high-income countries. However, malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent in LMICs, and coinfections are likely. Both malaria and parasitic NTDs can alter immunologic responses to other infectious agents. Malaria can induce a cytokine storm and pro-coagulant state similar to that seen in severe COVID-19. Consequently, coinfections with malaria parasites and SARS-CoV-2 could result in substantially worse outcomes than mono-infections with either pathogen, and could shift the age pattern of severe COVID-19 to younger age-groups. Enhancing surveillance platforms could provide signals that indicate whether malaria, NTDs, and COVID-19 are syndemics (synergistic epidemics). Based on the prevalence of malaria and NTDs in specific localities, efforts to characterize COVID-19 in LMICs could be expanded by adding testing for malaria and NTDs. Such additional testing would allow the determination of the rates of coinfection and comparison of severity of outcomes by infection status, greatly improving the understanding of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in LMICs and potentially helping to mitigate its impact.


id: cord-287949-243xlmep
author: Onovo, A. A.
date: 2020-05-02
txt: ./txt/cord-287949-243xlmep.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-287949-243xlmep.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.27.20082057
doi: 10.1101/2020.04.27.20082057
summary:
  Explanatory or independent variables in the model included total population, GDP per capita, percentage of population with access to electricity, percentage of population with access to basic drinking water, incidence of malaria (per 1,000 population at risk), percentage of men and women aged 15 and over who currently smoke any tobacco product, Diarrhea treatment (percent of children under 5 receiving oral rehydration and continued feeding), percentage of infants who received third-dose of pneumococcal conjugate-based vaccine (PCV), incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people), percent out-of-pocket expenditure, life expectancy at birth, Health Systems Performance Index, estimated incidence rate (new HIV infection per 1,000 uninfected population, children aged 0-14 years), estimated incidence rate (new HIV infection per 1,000 uninfected population, adolescents aged 10-19 years), HIV prevalence among people aged 15-49 years, transmission classification of COVID-19 disease (1=imported, 2=local transmission), income group (1=High Income, 2=Low income, 3=Lower middle income, 4=Upper middle income), Geocoordinates of SSA countries (latitude and longitude), and Time (days) between the first and last reported coronavirus cases.

title:
  Using Supervised Machine Learning and Empirical Bayesian Kriging to reveal Correlates and Patterns of COVID-19 Disease outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa: Exploratory Data Analysis

abstract:
  Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that was first reported in Wuhan, China, and has subsequently spread worldwide. Knowledge of coronavirus-related risk factors can help countries build more systematic and successful responses to COVID-19 disease outbreak. Here we used Supervised Machine Learning and Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) techniques to reveal correlates and patterns of COVID-19 Disease outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: We analyzed time series aggregate data compiled by Johns Hopkins University on the outbreak of COVID-19 disease across SSA. COVID-19 data was merged with additional data on socio-demographic and health indicator survey data for 39 of SSA 48 countries that reported confirmed cases and deaths from coronavirus between February 28, 2020 through March 26, 2020. We used supervised machine learning algorithm, Lasso for variable selection and statistical inference. EBK was used to also create a raster estimating the spatial distribution of COVID-19 disease outbreak. Results: The lasso Cross-fit partialing out predictive model ascertained seven variables significantly associated with the risk of coronavirus infection (i.e. new HIV infections among pediatric, adolescent, and middle-aged adult PLHIV, time (days), pneumococcal conjugate-based vaccine, incidence of malaria and diarrhea treatment). Our study indicates, the doubling time in new coronavirus cases was 3 days. The steady three-day decrease in coronavirus outbreak rate of change (ROC) from 37% on March 23, 2020 to 23% on March 26, 2020 indicates the positive impact of countries' steps to stymie the outbreak. The interpolated maps show that coronavirus is rising every day and appears to be severely confined in South Africa. In the West African region (i.e. Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, CotedIviore, Cameroon, and Nigeria), we predict that new cases and deaths from the virus are most likely to increase. Interpretation: Integrated and efficiently delivered interventions to reduce HIV, pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea, are essential to accelerating global health efforts. Scaling up screening and increasing COVID-19 testing capacity across SSA countries can help provide better understanding on how the pandemic is progressing and possibly ensure a sustained decline in the ROC of coronavirus outbreak. Funding: Authors were wholly responsible for the costs of data collation and analysis.


id: cord-288403-m6qe57he
author: Abbas, K. M.
date: 2020-05-26
txt: ./txt/cord-288403-m6qe57he.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-288403-m6qe57he.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: http://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.19.20106278v1?rss=1
doi: 10.1101/2020.05.19.20106278
summary:
  First, we used previously reported country-specific child mortality impact estimates of childhood immunisation for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, rotavirus, measles, meningitis A, rubella, and yellow fever (DTP3, HepB3, Hib3, PCV3, RotaC, MCV1, MCV2, MenA, RCV, YFV) to approximate the future deaths averted before completing five years of age by routine childhood vaccination during a 6-month Covid-19 risk period without catch-up campaigns. Specifically, we conducted a benefit-risk analysis of vaccine-preventable deaths averted by sustaining routine childhood immunisation in comparison to excess Covid-19 deaths from SARS-CoV-2 infections acquired by visiting routine vaccination service delivery points. The central estimates for benefit-risk ratio at the household level show the child deaths averted by continuing the routine childhood immunisation programmes (1-dose MCV1, RCV1, MenA, YFV for 9-month-old children) per excess Covid-19 death caused by SARS-CoV2 infections acquired in the vaccination service delivery points.

title:
  Benefit-risk analysis of health benefits of routine childhood immunisation against the excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa

abstract:
  Background: National immunisation programmes globally are at risk of suspension due to the severe health system constraints and physical distancing measures in place to mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim is to compare the health benefits of sustaining routine childhood immunisation in Africa against the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infections through visiting routine vaccination service delivery points. Methods: We used two scenarios to approximate the child deaths that may be caused by immunisation coverage reductions during COVID-19 outbreaks. First, we used previously reported country-specific child mortality impact estimates of childhood immunisation for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, rotavirus, measles, meningitis A, rubella, and yellow fever (DTP3, HepB3, Hib3, PCV3, RotaC, MCV1, MCV2, MenA, RCV, YFV) to approximate the future deaths averted before completing five years of age by routine childhood vaccination during a 6-month Covid-19 risk period without catch-up campaigns. Second, we analysed an alternative scenario that approximates the health benefits of sustaining routine childhood immunisation to only the child deaths averted from measles outbreaks during the Covid-19 risk period. The excess number of infections due to additional SARS-CoV-2 exposure during immunisation visits assumes that contact reducing interventions flatten the outbreak curve during the Covid-19 risk period, that 60% of the population will have been infected by the end of that period, that children can be infected by either vaccinators or during transport and that upon child infection the whole household would be infected. Country specific household age structure estimates and age dependent infection fatality rates are then applied to calculate the number of deaths attributable to the vaccination clinic visits. We present benefit-risk ratios for routine childhood immunisation alongside 95% uncertainty range estimates from probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Findings: For every one excess Covid-19 death attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infections acquired during routine vaccination clinic visits, there could be 143 (38 - 576) deaths in children prevented by sustaining routine childhood immunisation in Africa. The benefit-risk ratio for the vaccinated children, siblings, parents or adult care-givers, and older adults in the households of vaccinated children are 58,000 (3,200 - 21,350,000), 52,000 (2,800 - 18,884,000), 2,000 (393 - 12,000), and 157 (41 - 652) respectively. In the alternative scenario that approximates the health benefits to only the child deaths averted from measles outbreaks, the benefit-risk ratio to the households of vaccinated children is 5 (1 - 21) under these highly conservative assumptions and if the risk to only the vaccinated children is considered, the benefit-risk ratio is 2,000 (131 - 839,000). Interpretation: Our analysis suggests that the health benefits of deaths prevented by sustaining routine childhood immunisation in Africa far outweighs the excess risk of Covid-19 deaths associated with vaccination clinic visits. However, there are other factors that must be considered for strategic decision making to sustain routine childhood immunisation in African countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. These include logistical constraints of vaccine supply chain problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, reallocation of immunisation providers to other prioritised health services, healthcare staff shortages caused by SARS-CoV-2 infections among the staff, decreased demand for vaccination arising from community reluctance to visit vaccination clinics for fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infections, and infection risk to healthcare staff providing immunisation services as well as to their households and onward SARS-CoV-2 transmission into the wider community.


id: cord-289312-3vehcvhc
title: COVID-19 and African rheumatology: progress in adversity
author: Akintayo, Richard O
date: 2020-09-30
txt: ./txt/cord-289312-3vehcvhc.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2665991320303477
doi: 10.1016/s2665-9913(20)30347-7
abstract: nan
summary:
  The first collaborative effort was the pan-African survey 2 of the experience of rheumatologists across all five regions of the continent, done between April 21 and May 7, 2020, which provided a far-reaching understanding of the structure of rheumatology services and the degree of service disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This process, which led to increased recognition of the diversity in the structures and resources of rheumatology services available in countries within the AFLAR network, culminated in the formation of 22 statements of recom mendations for the management of rheumatic diseases in Africa in the context of COVID-19. The widespread suggestion of a role for various diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 triggered an increase in demand that resulted in a shortage of hydroxy chloroquine in many rheumatology services. African League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic


id: cord-290347-q6r6g7ue
title: Impact and Trends in Global Ophthalmology
author: Williams, Lloyd B.
date: 2020-06-22
txt: ./txt/cord-290347-q6r6g7ue.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-290347-q6r6g7ue.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32837802/
doi: 10.1007/s40135-020-00245-x
summary:
  A key finding of this study was that the AI system was able to identify disease in an African cohort with high sensitivity and specificity even though the system was trained on patients of Asian origin from the Singapore Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Program. To our knowledge, a prospective study of glaucoma detection via AI has yet to be published from the setting of the developing world, though it is foreseeable that a low-cost implantation of this technology may aid eye care professionals in the early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma (Fig. 1a) . Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by diabetic retinopathy: a meta-analysis from Incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in sub-Saharan Africa: a five-year cohort study Artificial intelligence using deep learning to screen for referable and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy in Africa: a clinical validation study

abstract:
  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Our goal is to provide a review of the impact, global estimates, and projection of vision impairment as well as ongoing systems for eye care delivery. RECENT FINDINGS: Many of the blinding diseases in developing countries are preventable or curable, but the lack of ophthalmologists, the lack of education, and the lack of access to any eye care are some of the major obstacles encountered. SUMMARY: As our world becomes more interconnected through globalization, the interactions between different cultures and populations increase. Global ophthalmology is a field dedicated to building sustainable eye care delivery systems to deliver high-quality care in minimal resource settings, with the aim of reducing blindness around the world.


id: cord-291234-rozpps6v
author: Faye, C.
date: 2020-05-22
txt: ./txt/cord-291234-rozpps6v.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-291234-rozpps6v.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.17.20104687
doi: 10.1101/2020.05.17.20104687
summary:
  The method was applied to 60 countries (30 in Africa and 30 in other continents) and 6 variables which are: the Covid-19 situation on Monday 13 April 2020 (confirmed cases and reported deaths), the mean annual temperature and the structure of the proportion (0 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years and over 65 years). The opposing relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic (confirmed cases and reported deaths) and the proportion of elderly (and/or young) is apparent, suggesting that generally the younger a country''s population is (and therefore the fewer vulnerable people), the less likely it is to be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and vice versa. Axis 2, with 23.24% variance, is positively related, strongly with the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases, the number of reported deaths and the proportion of elderly in the total population, weakly with the average annual temperature of the country and the proportion of young people in the total population of the country.

title:
  A DISSYMMETRY IN THE FIGURES RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE WORLD: WHAT FACTORS EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD?

abstract:
  Humanity has experienced outbreaks for millennia, from epidemics limited to pandemics that have claimed many victims and changed the course of civilizations. The advent of vaccines has eradicated some of the serious pathogens and reduced many others. However, pandemics are still part of our modern world, as we continue to have pandemics as devastating as HIV and as alarming as severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola and the Middle East respiratory syndrome. The Covid-19 epidemic with 0-exponential contamination curves reaching 3 million confirmed cases should not have come as a surprise, nor should it have been the last pandemic in the world. In this article, we try to summarize the lost opportunities as well as the lessons learned, hoping that we can do better in the future. The objective of this study is to relate the situation of Covid-19 in African countries with those of the countries most affected by the pandemic. It also allows us to verify how, according to the observed situation, the African ecosystem seems to be much more resilient compared to that of other continents where the number of deaths is in the thousands. To verify this, the diagnosed morbidity and mortality reported for different states of the world are compared to the ages of life and the average annual temperature of these states. The results show that the less dramatic balance of the African continent compared to other continents is partly linked to the relatively high temperatures on the continent but also to the relatively young character of its population.


id: cord-291768-68xr2ycm
author: Bankole, Taofik Olatunji
date: 2020-10-17
txt: ./txt/cord-291768-68xr2ycm.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-291768-68xr2ycm.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01394-w
doi: 10.1007/s10389-020-01394-w
summary:
  Data including daily reports on the total reported cases of COVID-19 infection and the number of related patient deaths were extracted for Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Niger, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal over the time span covered in this study. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the trends in the percentage increase in the rate of reported cases of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Niger, West Africa, and the world, respectively. Our findings, therefore, suggest that if the relatively lower incidence of growth in the reported cases of COVID-19 in West Africa is as a result of the availability of an improved or functional healthcare delivery system, the number of deaths across covered countries and of the region as a whole should have declined gradually rather than the present gradually increasing rate of deaths that are being recorded.

title:
  Low incidence of COVID-19 in the West African sub-region: mitigating healthcare delivery system or a matter of time?

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: This study examines the growth trends in the COVID-19 pandemic and fatalities arising from its complications among tested patients in West Africa. Countries around the world have employed several measures in order to control the spread of the disease. In spite of the poor state of the healthcare delivery system in West Africa, the spread of the pandemic is relatively low compared to reported cases in other regions of the world. The study addresses this phenomenon by asking the question: is the low incidence of COVID-19 in the West African sub-region a mitigating healthcare delivery system or just a matter of time? METHODS: The study adopted a cross-sectional time series method. Data for Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Niger Republic, and global data were extracted from the World Health Organization COVID-19 databank. Data were extracted in intervals of 7 days from March 15 through April 19, 2020. Data regarding the incidence growth rate and fatalities arising from COVID-19 complications were generated from the total reported cases and fatalities over specified periods. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out using Stata version 14. RESULTS: Results showed that the trends in growth patterns of COVID-19 for Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Niger, and West Africa generally followed the same fluctuating curves. The COVID-19 pandemic accounted for 92.3%, 97.8%, 90.3%, 65%, 90.4%, 93.6%, and 97% of complications that led to deaths of patients in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Niger Republic, Ivory Coast, and West Africa, respectively. Also, the results established that there was a significant positive association between increased incidence of COVID-19 and percentage increase in fatalities arising from its complications in West Africa (ß = 0.032; t = 12.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The threat presently posed by COVID-19 seems to be minimal in West Africa despite the poor state of the healthcare delivery system in the region. It is unlikely, however, that the region is well prepared for the pandemic in the event that it escalates out of control with time.


id: cord-293160-v28rnvpg
author: Orunmuyi, Akintunde T
date: 2020-08-28
txt: ./txt/cord-293160-v28rnvpg.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-293160-v28rnvpg.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2020.1093
doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2020.1093
summary:
  title: Underutilisation of nuclear medicine scans at a regional hospital in Nigeria: need for implementation research To understand the relevant public health initiatives that will be required, this study assessed the pattern of nuclear medicine imaging services at the first nuclear medicine centre in Nigeria from January 2010 to December 2018. METHODS: The data of consecutive nuclear medicine (NM) scans performed between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2018 at the NM department in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria were extracted from patient records and analysed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent NM scans at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between January 2010 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Furthermore, the studies to explore other unknown factors that play a role in the low throughput of NM services in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries are warranted.

title:
  Underutilisation of nuclear medicine scans at a regional hospital in Nigeria: need for implementation research

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: Nuclear medicine needs better integration into the Nigerian health system. To understand the relevant public health initiatives that will be required, this study assessed the pattern of nuclear medicine imaging services at the first nuclear medicine centre in Nigeria from January 2010 to December 2018. METHODS: The data of consecutive nuclear medicine (NM) scans performed between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2018 at the NM department in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria were extracted from patient records and analysed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). The National Cancer Institute’s Joinpoint software and QCIS (QGIS project) were used to estimate imaging trends and geographical spread of patients. RESULTS: An average of 486 scans per year was performed during the study period. Patients travelled from 32 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and the majority (65%) travelled more than 100 km to obtain NM scans. Bone scans accounted for 88.1% of the studies. The remainder were renal scintigraphy (7.3%), thyroid scans (2.5%), whole-body iodine scans (1.7%) and others (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: NM in Nigeria appears underutilised. Furthermore, the studies to characterise the access gaps and implementation needs will contribute to the design of practical strategies to strengthen NM services in Nigeria.


id: cord-293379-c4qdmkw5
title: HIV and AIDS: looking ahead
author: Weiss, Robin A
date: 2003
txt: ./txt/cord-293379-c4qdmkw5.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12835710/
doi: 10.1038/nm0703-887
summary:
  Fifteen years ago, AIDS in South Africa was seen in a handful of gay white men who had traveled to the United States, but now more than four million South African black men, women and children are infected with HIV. 19 argue in this issue, much has been accomplished in reducing the transmission of HIV and, given politi-cal will, persuasive ''risk'' education and sufficient resources, "the science exists to turn the pandemic around." Certainly, the continuing spread of disease could be slowed significantly, as has been seen in Senegal, Thailand and Uganda, but whether without an efficacious vaccine we can reduce R 0 to less than onethat is, reduce the mean rate of transmission from one infected person to less than one other personremains speculative. Infected sheep develop a wasting disease and neurodegeneration similar to that seen in humans with AIDS, but they do not show T-helper-cell immune deficiency.

abstract:
  Although the future of HIV science is uncertain, we need to reappraise HIV diversity, pathogenesis and immunity. The AIDS pandemic threatens the success of existing vaccine programs and may accelerate the emergence of new infectious diseases.


id: cord-293620-rliv7hms
title: Nephrology in Africa: forgotten no more
author: Naicker, Saraladevi
date: 2020-09-30
txt: ./txt/cord-293620-rliv7hms.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-293620-rliv7hms.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S008525382030908X
doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.07.016
abstract: nan
summary:
  D uring a time when the world is grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, African nephrology suffered a major setback, with the passing of 3 of its stalwarts: Oladipo Akinkugke (Nigeria), Jacob Plange-Rhule (Ghana)-whose obituaries are featured in this issue-and Mohamed Abdullah (Kenya). 1 According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, apart from a few countries in Central America and Southeast Asia, African countries have the highest age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years attributable to chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplantation is increasing in Africa and is largely from living donors, with deceased donor Saraladevi Naicker 1 The South African Renal Society and the Egyptian Society of Nephrology and Transplantation were founded in 1967 and 1970, respectively. The International Society of Nephrology, through its capacity-building programs, has supported training of fellows and knowledge exchange for setting up renal services in Africa. They were succeeded by Saraladevi Naicker The ISN message of education and training in nephrology was enthusiastically received by the African medical community, and its programs were increasingly subscribed.


id: cord-296816-mzd1499c
title: China''s Response to the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
author: Huang, Yanzhong
date: 2017-01-30
txt: ./txt/cord-296816-mzd1499c.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-296816-mzd1499c.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31565261/
doi: 10.1002/gch2.201600001
summary:
  As Beijing becomes more sensitive to disease outbreaks overseas and as the scope of its humanitarian engagement grows and diversifies, the space for China''s cooperation with international actors over global health governance is expected to further expand. [4] While visiting West Africa in August 2015, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi noted that China in carrying out its largest ever health aid program in history created multiple "firsts": the Chinese President was the first head of state to commit explicitly to answering the call for help by three Western African countries; China used large chartered airplanes to ship the first batch of badly needed anti-epidemic supplies; China for the first time deployed a whole unit of epidemic prevention forces and military medical staff abroad; China built a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab overseas, and set up an infectious disease medical center in another country for the first time.

abstract:
  Beginning in March 2014, West Africa has endured the largest outbreak of Ebola viral disease (EVD) in history. The crisis highlighted the role of China in addressing public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC). Through bilateral and multilateral channels, China kicked off its largest ever humanitarian mission in addressing a PHEIC. The unprecedented generosity served the domestic needs to prevent EVD from spreading into China, but it was also consistent with China's foreign policy objective to pursue soft power in Africa. While its total funding to EVD control in West Africa was no match of top donors like the United States, it becomes much more impressive when adjusted for gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. As Beijing becomes more sensitive to disease outbreaks overseas and as the scope of its humanitarian engagement grows and diversifies, the space for China's cooperation with international actors over global health governance is expected to further expand.


id: cord-296888-z5x6zkht
author: Hailay, Abrha
date: 2020-09-04
txt: ./txt/cord-296888-z5x6zkht.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-296888-z5x6zkht.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40733-020-00061-x
doi: 10.1186/s40733-020-00061-x
summary:
  title: The burden, admission, and outcomes of COVID-19 among asthmatic patients in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis This research protocol will, therefore, be driven to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of the Coronavirus Disease in 2019 burden, admission and outcome among Asthmatic patients in Africa. This research protocol will, therefore, be driven to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of the COVID-19 burden, admission and outcome among asthmatic patients in Africa. Data extraction was including information: first author, publishing month, country and/or region, signs and symptoms, complications, diagnostic criteria, comorbidity, COVID-19, study Upon introduction pick. If there will be heterogeneity between studies, we will use a meta-analysis of random-effects [24] to estimate the aggregate pooled burden, admission and outcome of COVID-19 among asthmatic patients in Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be expected to quantify the burden, admission and outcome of COVID-19 among asthmatic patients in Africa.

title:
  The burden, admission, and outcomes of COVID-19 among asthmatic patients in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak is the first reported case in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and suddenly became a major global health concern. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, on August 4, 2020 the reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 were 18,456,952 cases worldwide, 11,691,229 recovered with 697,719 deaths. Evidence on Burden, admission and outcome of Coronavirus Disease in 2019 among Asthmatic patients has not been published in Africa. This research protocol will, therefore, be driven to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of the Coronavirus Disease in 2019 burden, admission and outcome among Asthmatic patients in Africa. METHODS: All observational studies among Asthmatic patients in Africa and written without language limitation will be included. A search technique was applied using Databases (PubMed / MEDLINE, EMBASE, HINARI, Cochrane Library, World Health Organization COVID-19 database, Africa Wide Knowledge and Web of Science). Two independent authors carried out data extraction and assess the risk of bias using a predetermined and structured method of data collection. We will use random-effects to estimate the overall pooled burden, admission and outcome of COVID-19 Asthmatic patients in Africa. To assess possible publication bias, funnel plot test and Egger’s test methods will be used. This systematic and meta-analysis review protocol will be reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol guidelines. DISCUSSION: The description will be used to show the COVID-19 distribution data by interest variables such as residence, setting, and person-level characteristics. The findings of this review will notify health care professionals about the burden, admission and outcome of COVID − 19 in asthmatic patient, while providing evidence to bring about the requisite improvements in clinical practice for asthmatic patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This review is registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews with the registration number of CRD42020202049.


id: cord-297077-p604vvbi
author: Tai, Dar‐In
date: 2017-11-06
txt: ./txt/cord-297077-p604vvbi.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-297077-p604vvbi.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29404438/
doi: 10.1002/hep4.1113
summary:
  To understand the evolution of HBV‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and to correlate these SNPs with chronic HBV infection among different populations, we conducted a global perspective study on hepatitis‐related SNPs. We selected 12 HBV‐related SNPs on the HLA locus and two HBV and three hepatitis C virus immune‐related SNPs for analysis. Based on the data from 1,000 genomes collected worldwide, we conducted a global perspective study on the allele frequency of hepatitis-related SNPs. Based on a literature review, 12 HBV-and HLArelated SNPs, (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) five hepatitis-and immune-related SNPs in complement factor B (CFB), clusters of differentiation molecule 40 (CD40), and interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) loci (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) , and five nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-related SNPs in HLA regions (19) (20) (21) were selected for this analysis (Tables 1 and 2 ).

title:
  A global perspective on hepatitis B‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms and evolution during human migration

abstract:
  Genome‐wide association studies have indicated that human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DP and HLA‐DQ play roles in persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Asia. To understand the evolution of HBV‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and to correlate these SNPs with chronic HBV infection among different populations, we conducted a global perspective study on hepatitis‐related SNPs. We selected 12 HBV‐related SNPs on the HLA locus and two HBV and three hepatitis C virus immune‐related SNPs for analysis. Five nasopharyngeal carcinoma‐related SNPs served as controls. All SNP data worldwide from 26 populations were downloaded from 1,000 genomes. We found a dramatic difference in the allele frequency in most of the HBV‐ and HLA‐related SNPs in East Asia compared to the other continents. A sharp change in allele frequency in 8 of 12 SNPs was found between Bengali populations in Bangladesh and Chinese Dai populations in Xishuangbanna, China (P < 0.001); these areas represent the junction of South and East Asia. For the immune‐related SNPs, significant changes were found after leaving Africa. Most of these genes shifted from higher expression genotypes in Africa to lower expression genotypes in either Europe or South Asia (P < 0.001). During this two‐stage adaptation, immunity adjusted toward a weak immune response, which could have been a survival strategy during human migration to East Asia. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection in Africa is as high as in Asia; however, the HBV‐related SNP genotypes are not present in Africa, and so the genetic mechanism of chronic HBV infection in Africa needs further exploration. Conclusion: Two stages of genetic changes toward a weak immune response occurred when humans migrated out of Africa. These changes could be a survival strategy for avoiding cytokine storms and surviving in new environments. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:1005–1013)


id: cord-298763-u5xn392m
title: Radiology practice in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 outbreak: points to consider
author: Mutala, Timothy Musila
date: 2020-09-07
txt: ./txt/cord-298763-u5xn392m.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-298763-u5xn392m.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33062129/
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.28.23081
summary:
  Given that pandemics such as COVID-19 can worsen the strain on the scantily available radiological resources in this region, we share some practical points that can be applied to manage these precious resources also needed for other essential services. Radiologists in sub-Saharan Africa must be fully cognizant of the radiological features of COVID-19 by referring to the aforementioned literature and the few cases they have from imaging patients with COVID-19 disease in their local setting. "Red" and "green" zones principle (minimize healthcare acquired infections): diagnosis of COVID-19 starts at the public health and primary care realms with clear case definition as developed by WHO [11] . At the same time, in the main hospital setting, it is imperative that the radiology managers and their staff get actively involved in the development of their institutional standard operating protocols (SOPs) on handling COVID-19 cases. "Red zone" operations demand designation of facilities including imaging for the COVID-19 diagnosed or suspected patients.

abstract:
  COVID-19 is a rapidly growing pandemic that has grown from a few cases in Wuhan, China to millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide within a few months. Sub-Saharan Africa is not spared. Radiology has a key role to play in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 as literature from Wuhan and Italy demonstrates. We therefore share some critical knowledge and practice areas for radiological suspicion and diagnosis. In addition, emphasis on how guarding against healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) by applying “red” and “green” principle is addressed. Given that pandemics such as COVID-19 can worsen the strain on the scantily available radiological resources in this region, we share some practical points that can be applied to manage these precious resources also needed for other essential services. We have noted that radiology does not feature in many main COVID-19 guidelines, regionally and internationally. This paper therefore suggests areas of collaboration for radiology with other clinical and management teams. We note from our local experience that radiology can play a role in COVID-19 surveillance.


id: cord-299315-s43gw24k
title: One Health, Vaccines and Ebola: The Opportunities for Shared Benefits
author: Capps, Benjamin
date: 2015-09-16
txt: ./txt/cord-299315-s43gw24k.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-299315-s43gw24k.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32214867/
doi: 10.1007/s10806-015-9574-7
summary:
  In this paper we propose One Health as a strategy to prevent zoonotic outbreaks as a shared goal: that human and Great Ape vaccine trials could benefit both species. Sure, while OH in this sense creates the grounds for humans to express compassion towards animals and ecosystems and to engage in novel approaches to health problems, overall it often achieves the same goals of prevention and response so far already installed in public health; so OH, in this sense, adds nothing to the ethical debate except by broadening the factors considered in any human cost-benefit analysis. Our proposal is for direct action to administer vaccinations to humans through public health and research paradigms, and additionally to animals to stave off future outbreaks in both populations. Such an approach, aimed at vaccinating animals in the first instance, would be preventative rather than reactive to an outbreak in human populations, by protecting across species and thereby creating a potential barrier to future occurrences of Ebola in the fauna.

abstract:
  The 2013 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, as of writing, is declining in reported human cases and mortalities. The resulting devastation caused highlights how health systems, in particular in West Africa, and in terms of global pandemic planning, are ill prepared to react to zoonotic pathogens. In this paper we propose One Health as a strategy to prevent zoonotic outbreaks as a shared goal: that human and Great Ape vaccine trials could benefit both species. Only recently have two phase 2/3 Ebola human vaccine trials been started in West Africa. This paper argues for a conceptual change in pandemic preparedness. We first discuss the ethics of One Health. Next, we focus on the current Ebola outbreak and defines its victims. Third, we present the notion of a ‘shared benefit’ approach, grounded in One Health, and argue for the vaccination of wild apes in order to protect both apes and humans. We believe that a creation of such inter-species immunity is an exemplar of One Health, and that it is worth pursuing as a coextensive public health approach.


id: cord-300605-gozt5aur
author: Tambo, Ernest
date: 2014-10-29
txt: ./txt/cord-300605-gozt5aur.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-300605-gozt5aur.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-9957-3-41
doi: 10.1186/2049-9957-3-41
summary:
  Yet, taming the dynamics and plague of the vicious Ebola virus disease (EVD) in African countries has been patchy and erratic due to inadequate surveillance and contact tracing, community defiance and resistance, a lack of detection and response systems, meager/weak knowledge and information on the disease, inadequacies in protective materials protocols, contact tracing nightmare and differing priorities at various levels of the public health system. (8)Digital or electronic bio-epidemiology surveillance systems, including social media networking and web-based systems, provide valuable channels for timely collection of public health data; give information on the early detection of, and response to, disease outbreaks; and enhance situational awareness to communities. (2)This approach is confronted by a lack of effective and accurate spot invasive frontline and airport rapid diagnostics tools, district and provincial health laboratories being equipped with little or no advanced molecular technologies, lack of drugs and vaccines to treat Ebola, inadequacy in coordinated Ebola frontline planning efforts in the community, as well inefficient or nonexistent community and national active infectious disease surveillance systems.

title:
  Acquired immunity and asymptomatic reservoir impact on frontline and airport ebola outbreak syndromic surveillance and response

abstract:
  The number of surveillance networks for infectious disease diagnosis and response has been growing. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, which has been endorsed by each of the 46 WHO African members since then. Yet, taming the dynamics and plague of the vicious Ebola virus disease (EVD) in African countries has been patchy and erratic due to inadequate surveillance and contact tracing, community defiance and resistance, a lack of detection and response systems, meager/weak knowledge and information on the disease, inadequacies in protective materials protocols, contact tracing nightmare and differing priorities at various levels of the public health system. Despite the widespread acceptance of syndromic surveillance (SS) systems, their ability to provide early warning alerts and notifications of outbreaks is still unverified. Information is often too limited for any outbreak, or emerging or otherwise unexpected disease, to be recognized at either the community or the national level. Indeed, little is known about the role and the interactions between the Ebola infection and exposure to other syndemics and the development of acquired immunity, asymptomatic reservoir, and Ebola seroconversion. Can lessons be learnt from smallpox, polio, and influenza immunity, and can immunization against these serve as a guide? In most endemic countries, community health centers and disease control and prevention at airports solely relies on passive routine immunization control and reactive syndromic response. The frontline and airport Ebola SS systems in West Africa have shown deficiencies in terms of responding with an alarming number of case fatalities, and suggest that more detailed insights into Ebola, and proactive actions, are needed. The quest for effective early indicators (EEE) in shifting the public and global health paradigm requires the development and implementation of a comprehensive and effective community or regional integrated pandemic preparedness and surveillance response systems tailored to local contexts. These systems must have mechanisms for early identification, rapid contact tracing and tracking, confirmation, and communication with the local population and the global community, and must endeavor to respond in a timely manner. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2049-9957-3-41) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


id: cord-301225-h178zpb3
title: Fever in Returned Travelers
author: Gautret, Philippe
date: 2018-11-26
txt: ./txt/cord-301225-h178zpb3.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-301225-h178zpb3.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323546966000562
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-323-54696-6.00056-2
summary:
  5, 9, 10 While, overall, malaria is the most common specific infection causing systemic febrile illness, dengue fever, mononucleosis, rickettsial infections, and enteric fever are also important infections. More than a third of malaria-infected travelers in a study from Israel and the United States had illness that developed >2 months after return from endemic areas. 28 In the GeoSentinel database, confirmed or probable dengue fever was the most common specific diagnosis in patients with febrile systemic illness who had traveled to tropical and subtropical areas in the Caribbean, South America, South Central and Southeast Asia. 52 In most cases the disease is acquired in Africa (not only sub-Saharan); however, in the last decade an seek medical care suggested that 2% of imported fevers are caused by rickettsioses and that 20% of these patients are hospitalized.

abstract:
  Predominant causes of fever vary by different geographic areas of exposure. Malaria is the most common overall cause of systemic febrile illness in travelers returning from tropical areas; dengue is the most common cause in travelers to some regions. The approach to a febrile patient must consider travel and exposure history, incubation period, mode of exposure, and impact of pretravel vaccination. Initial symptoms of self-limited and life-threatening infections may be similar; focal signs and symptoms can help to limit the differential diagnosis. Routine laboratory results can provide clues to the final diagnosis.


id: cord-302813-963ypqow
title: Major new lineages of SARS-CoV-2 emerge and spread in South Africa during lockdown.
author: Tegally, H.
date: 2020-10-30
txt: ./txt/cord-302813-963ypqow.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-302813-963ypqow.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: http://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.28.20221143v1?rss=1
doi: 10.1101/2020.10.28.20221143
summary:
  Through the unprecedented sharing of SARS-CoV-2 sequences during this pandemic, including from one of the first cases in Wuhan, China (MN908947.3) 2 , genomic epidemiology investigations globally are playing a major role in characterizing and understanding this emerging virus [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . The profile of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological progression in South Africa was largely influenced by the implementation of lockdown measures in the early phases of the epidemic and the subsequent easing of these measures. We focused on the three largest monophyletic lineage clusters (C.1, B.1.1.54, B.1.1.56,) that spread in South Africa during lockdown and then grew into large transmission clusters during the peak infections phase of the epidemic (Fig 1C) . Our analysis therefore shows that a number of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, each with unique mutations, emerged within localized epidemics during lockdown even as the introduction of new lineages from outside South Africa was being curbed.

abstract:
  In March 2020, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in South Africa. The epidemic spread very fast despite an early and extreme lockdown and infected over 600,000 people, by far the highest number of infections in an African country. To rapidly understand the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa, we formed the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA). Here, we analyze 1,365 high quality whole genomes and identify 16 new lineages of SARS-CoV-2. Most of these unique lineages have mutations that are found hardly anywhere else in the world. We also show that three lineages spread widely in South Africa and contributed to ~42% of all of the infections in the country. This included the first identified C lineage of SARS-CoV-2, C.1, which has 16 mutations as compared with the original Wuhan sequence. C.1 was the most geographically widespread lineage in South Africa, causing infections in multiple provinces and in all of the eleven districts in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the most sampled province. Interestingly, the first South-African specific lineage, B.1.106, which was identified in April 2020, became extinct after nosocomial outbreaks were controlled. Our findings show that genomic surveillance can be implemented on a large scale in Africa to identify and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.


id: cord-303700-rrwy3osd
title: How urbanization affects the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases
author: Neiderud, Carl-Johan
date: 2015-06-24
txt: ./txt/cord-303700-rrwy3osd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-303700-rrwy3osd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.3402/iee.v5.27060
doi: 10.3402/iee.v5.27060
summary:
  The lack of a universal definition makes it hard to compare different countries and cities in regard to public health and the burden and impact of infectious diseases (4) . Many of the lower income countries are expected to have a major growth among the urban population, which leads to considerable challenges for the governments and health care to keep up to pace and develop their social services and health care as these regions grow. The environment in urban cities has proven to be favourable for the rat population (Rattus spp.) and close encounters between rats and humans can lead to transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases. LF still has its major impact in rural settings, but the increasing urbanization in the developing world has made LF an infectious disease that also has to be considered elsewhere.

abstract:
  The world is becoming more urban every day, and the process has been ongoing since the industrial revolution in the 18th century. The United Nations now estimates that 3.9 billion people live in urban centres. The rapid influx of residents is however not universal and the developed countries are already urban, but the big rise in urban population in the next 30 years is expected to be in Asia and Africa. Urbanization leads to many challenges for global health and the epidemiology of infectious diseases. New megacities can be incubators for new epidemics, and zoonotic diseases can spread in a more rapid manner and become worldwide threats. Adequate city planning and surveillance can be powerful tools to improve the global health and decrease the burden of communicable diseases.


id: cord-303933-vb3hygtv
title: Past, present and future: experiences and lessons from telehealth projects
author: Elder, Laurent
date: 2007-12-04
txt: ./txt/cord-303933-vb3hygtv.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-303933-vb3hygtv.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21673948/
doi: nan
summary:
  Information communications technology has been a focus of the work of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) since 1970, when this organization was formed in Canada with the goal of helping to improve the health of people in developing countries (http://www.idrc.ca). These efforts were quite typical of activities that focused on health and on information and communica-tions technology (ICT) at the time: overly ambitious, lacking in adequate capacity and planning, but spurred by the drive and determination of project proponents, who went on to use their experiences to become champions of telehealth in their countries. In Indonesia, the Development of ICT-based Telemedicine System for Primary Community Health Care in Indonesia project used existing Internet technology to enhance PC-based medical stations and pilot-tested a telemedicine application. However, the fast pace of innovation in both ICTs and health research means that there is also a need to develop, implement and evaluate new applications, particularly in the area of demographic surveillance of disease incidence and medical compliance, using new technologies such as mobile phones.

abstract:
  Information communications technology has been a focus of the work of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) since 1970, when this organization was formed in Canada with the goal of helping to improve the health of people in developing countries (http://www.idrc.ca). In this article, we focus on the field of telemedicine in developing countries and its role in improving health, using examples from the experience of the IDRC.


id: cord-303966-z6u3d2ec
author: Shears, P.
date: 2007-10-22
txt: ./txt/cord-303966-z6u3d2ec.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-303966-z6u3d2ec.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17945396/
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2007.08.016
summary:
  In many hospitals serving the poorest communities of Africa and other parts of the developing world, infection control activities are limited by poor infrastructure, overcrowding, inadequate hygiene and water supply, poorly functioning laboratory services and a shortage of trained staff. Summary In many hospitals serving the poorest communities of Africa and other parts of the developing world, infection control activities are limited by poor infrastructure, overcrowding, inadequate hygiene and water supply, poorly functioning laboratory services and a shortage of trained staff. Many medical journals are currently devoting part of their current issues to the themes of poverty and infection in the developing world, in recognition of the commitments made by the G8 Summit and the United Nations (UN) Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) to improve maternal healthcare, reduce childhood mortality and the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria and other communicable diseases.

title:
  Poverty and infection in the developing world: Healthcare-related infections and infection control in the tropics

abstract:
  In many hospitals serving the poorest communities of Africa and other parts of the developing world, infection control activities are limited by poor infrastructure, overcrowding, inadequate hygiene and water supply, poorly functioning laboratory services and a shortage of trained staff. Hospital transmission of communicable diseases, a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, lack of resources for isolation and disinfection, and widespread antimicrobial resistance create major risks for healthcare-related infections. Few data exist on the prevalence or impact of these infections in such environments. There is a need for interventions to reduce the burden of healthcare-related infections in the tropics and to set up effective surveillance programmes to determine their impact. Both the Global (G8) International Development Summit of 2005 and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have committed major resources to alleviating poverty and poor health in the developing world over the next decade. Targeting resources specifically to infection control in low-resource settings must be a part of this effort, if the wider aims of the MDGs to improve healthcare are to be achieved.


id: cord-304282-om2xc4bs
title: Will Africa be Devastated by Covid-19 as Many Predicted? Perspective and Prospective
author: Berhan, Yifru
date: 2020-05-17
txt: ./txt/cord-304282-om2xc4bs.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-304282-om2xc4bs.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v30i3.17
doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v30i3.17
abstract: nan
summary:
  Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19 or SARS CoV-2 infection) has been declared as pandemic, several mathematicians and statisticians have developed different trajectory curves for Africa, with the assumption that the virus can have an exponential pattern of transmission. A very important argument is; had the Covid-19 transmission been as contagious as in Europe and USA, by this time, every health facility in Africa and other tropical countries could have been flooded with severely ill patients and deaths. The other side of the coin is; the overwhelming cases and deaths experienced in Europe and USA is despite the fact that they started to report Covid-19 confirmed cases almost same time or later than many of the countries in the tropical climate zone. An important observation was that, like the currently observed Covid-19 pandemic, the morbidity and mortality of the aforementioned influenza outbreaks were not that much spreading and killing outside the temperate zone, at least in Africa.


id: cord-304610-6o3hydg6
title: Gauging the laboratory responses to coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in Africa
author: Odeyemi, Festus Ayotunde
date: 2020-08-27
txt: ./txt/cord-304610-6o3hydg6.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-304610-6o3hydg6.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32904876/
doi: 10.1002/pa.2280
summary:
  authors: Odeyemi, Festus Ayotunde; Adekunle, Ibrahim Ayoade; Ogunbanjo, Olakitan Wahab; Folorunso, Jamiu Bello; Akinbolaji, Thompson; Olawoye, Idowu Bolade In this study, we assessed the various forms of laboratory responses to the containment, risk analyses, structures and features of COVID‐19 in high incidence African countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, etc.) to aid better and efficient laboratory responses to the highly infectious diseases. Laboratory professionals play essential roles in diagnosis, epidemiologic surveillance and monitoring of patients with suspected and established cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which is the virus strain that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19; Lippi & Plebani, 2020) . In this study, an attempt is made to unravel the underlying testing procedures adopted by high incidence African nations (Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Algeria) with attendant efficacy relative to their population density.

abstract:
  The rampaging effect of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in Africa is huge and have impacted almost every area of life. Across African states, there exist variations in the laboratory measures adopted, and these heterogeneous approaches, in turn, determines the successes or otherwise recorded. In this study, we assessed the various forms of laboratory responses to the containment, risk analyses, structures and features of COVID‐19 in high incidence African countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, etc.) to aid better and efficient laboratory responses to the highly infectious diseases.


id: cord-304748-ddwawfv2
author: Mendelsohn, Andrea S.
date: 2020-04-30
txt: ./txt/cord-304748-ddwawfv2.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-304748-ddwawfv2.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32356032/
doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02898-y
abstract: nan
summary:
  In preparation for a future swell of COVID-19 patients, the Western Cape Department of Health (WC DoH) implemented a plan to "de-escalate" healthcare services to reduce the spread of infection and increase capacity to accommodate COVID-19 patients [2] . The SAHCS strongly advocated that 6-month supplies of ARVs be issued to stable patients, reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure inherent in seeking in-person treatment at healthcare facilities as well as to minimize patient flow in a clinic [10] . The SAHCS and WC DoH recommendations seek to fast-track PLHIV onto a robust ARV regimen during the pandemic to maximize their possibility of viral suppression and minimize their exposure to the healthcare system and, potentially, COVID-19. It is well documented that differentiated models of care, such as South Africa''s adherence clubs, for stable ARV patients have improved long-term virologic suppression and retention in care in comparison to usual care [11] [12] [13] .

title:
  COVID-19 and Antiretroviral Therapies: South Africa’s Charge Towards 90–90–90 in the Midst of a Second Pandemic


id: cord-305327-hayhbs5u
title: Global Spread of Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses: Predicting Pandemics
author: Gonzalez, Jean-Paul
date: 2017-09-19
txt: ./txt/cord-305327-hayhbs5u.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-305327-hayhbs5u.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_1
doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_1
summary:
  Other pathogens that are remarkable for their epidemic expansions include the arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers and hantavirus diseases carried by rodents over great geographic distances and the arthropod-borne viruses (West Nile, chikungunya and Zika) enabled by ecology and vector adaptations. Emergence from a sporadic case to an outbreak, to an epidemic, and ultimately to a pandemic depends upon effective transmission among nonimmune hosts, host availability (density), characteristics of the vector (natural or human made) that would enable it to circumvent distances, and the pathogen infectiousness. Although MARV expansion appears to be limited to a few countries in Africa, the recent emergence (estimated at a few decades ago) of a second human pathogenic marburgvirus known as Ravn virus, and the widely distributed Old World rousette fruit bats (Rousettus spp.) serving as reservoir for both viruses [45] , are two factors that favor pandemic risk.

abstract:
  As successive epidemics have swept the world, the scientific community has quickly learned from them about the emergence and transmission of communicable diseases. Epidemics usually occur when health systems are unprepared. During an unexpected epidemic, health authorities engage in damage control, fear drives action, and the desire to understand the threat is greatest. As humanity recovers, policy-makers seek scientific expertise to improve their “preparedness” to face future events. Global spread of disease is exemplified by the spread of yellow fever from Africa to the Americas, by the spread of dengue fever through transcontinental migration of mosquitos, by the relentless influenza virus pandemics, and, most recently, by the unexpected emergence of Ebola virus, spread by motorbike and long haul carriers. Other pathogens that are remarkable for their epidemic expansions include the arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers and hantavirus diseases carried by rodents over great geographic distances and the arthropod-borne viruses (West Nile, chikungunya and Zika) enabled by ecology and vector adaptations. Did we learn from the past epidemics? Are we prepared for the worst? The ultimate goal is to develop a resilient global health infrastructure. Besides acquiring treatments, vaccines, and other preventive medicine, bio-surveillance is critical to preventing disease emergence and to counteracting its spread. So far, only the western hemisphere has a large and established monitoring system; however, diseases continue to emerge sporadically, in particular in Southeast Asia and South America, illuminating the imperfections of our surveillance. Epidemics destabilize fragile governments, ravage the most vulnerable populations, and threaten the global community. Pandemic risk calculations employ new technologies like computerized maintenance of geographical and historical datasets, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Next Generation sequencing, and Metagenomics to trace the molecular changes in pathogens during their emergence, and mathematical models to assess risk. Predictions help to pinpoint the hot spots of emergence, the populations at risk, and the pathogens under genetic evolution. Preparedness anticipates the risks, the needs of the population, the capacities of infrastructure, the sources of emergency funding, and finally, the international partnerships needed to manage a disaster before it occurs. At present, the world is in an intermediate phase of trying to reduce health disparities despite exponential population growth, political conflicts, migration, global trade, urbanization, and major environmental changes due to global warming. For the sake of humanity, we must focus on developing the necessary capacities for health surveillance, epidemic preparedness, and pandemic response.


id: cord-305394-wwabxlgr
title: COVID-19: First data from Africa
author: Venter, W D Francois
date: 2020-08-31
txt: ./txt/cord-305394-wwabxlgr.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-305394-wwabxlgr.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32865552/
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1293
abstract: nan
summary:
  This data is from an ongoing surveillance cohort that has previously generated rich data on disease patterns in the Western Cape, and currently continues to provide near real-time updates on the impact of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 on factors ranging from death to oxygen consumption within hospitals. Key strengths of the paper include a dataset covering over 3 million healthcare users in the Western Cape Province, and the use of both hospitalized and nonhospitalized cases and deaths Davies'' data shows similar mortality risk factors, including age, sex, diabetes (especially uncontrolled diabetes), hypertension and renal disease to other cohorts from richer countries. For South Africa, a sigh of relief at a relatively small increase in mortality in HIV and TB should be quickly tempered; diabetes was the second commonest cause of death in the country pre-COVID-19, and most patients in the country have poor glucose control, a major risk factor from Davies'' data (7) .


id: cord-306741-3ibprszo
author: Fitchett, Jennifer M
date: 2020-11-11
txt: ./txt/cord-306741-3ibprszo.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-306741-3ibprszo.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33175213/
doi: 10.1007/s00484-020-02042-4
summary:
  The National Guidelines for the Prevention of Malaria in South Africa comprise five key components which are summarized as the "ABC" of malaria prevention, namely Awareness and Assessment of malaria risk, avoidance of mosquito Bites, Compliance with Chemoprophylaxis when indicated, early Detection of malaria disease, and Effective treatment (NDOH 2018a; Baker 2018; Schmidt 2019a, b) . According to the latest malaria risk map produced by the South African National Department of Health in December 2018, areas of moderate risk (where chemoprophylaxis is indicated for all travellers from September to May) are concentrated along the border between South Africa and Mozambique and Zimbabwe (Fig. 1) . Topics included respondents'' demographics and travel histories, awareness and perception of malaria distribution and risk in Southern Africa, understanding of climate change, and attitudes towards malaria prophylaxis-both in terms of bite prevention and chemoprophylaxis. Overall, the composite map created from all 28 usable maps reveals a fairly high degree of awareness among respondents regarding the general location of malaria risk areas in South Africa (Fig. 2) .

title:
  Exploring public awareness of the current and future malaria risk zones in South Africa under climate change: a pilot study

abstract:
  Although only a small proportion of the landmass of South Africa is classified as high risk for malaria, the country experiences on-going challenges relating to malaria outbreaks. Climate change poses a growing threat to this already dire situation. While considerable effort has been placed in public health campaigns in the highest-risk regions, and national malaria maps are updated to account for changing climate, malaria cases have increased. This pilot study considers the sub-population of South Africans who reside outside of the malaria area, yet have the means to travel into this high-risk region for vacation. Through the lens of the governmental “ABC of malaria prevention”, we explore this sub-population’s awareness of the current boundaries to the malaria area, perceptions of the future boundary under climate change, and their risk-taking behaviours relating to malaria transmission. Findings reveal that although respondents self-report a high level of awareness regarding malaria, and their boundary maps reveal the broad pattern of risk distribution, their specifics on details are lacking. This includes over-estimating both the current and future boundaries, beyond the realms of climate-topographic possibility. Despite over-estimating the region of malaria risk, the respondents reveal an alarming lack of caution when travelling to malaria areas. Despite being indicated for high-risk malaria areas, the majority of respondents did not use chemoprophylaxis, and many relied on far less-effective measures. This may in part be due to respondents relying on information from friends and family, rather than medical or governmental advice.


id: cord-306748-i9ndb71n
title: COVID-19: Are Africa’s diagnostic challenges blunting response effectiveness?
author: Kobia, Francis
date: 2020-04-17
txt: ./txt/cord-306748-i9ndb71n.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-306748-i9ndb71n.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32399515/
doi: 10.12688/aasopenres.13061.1
summary:
  In fact, this strategy is being used by Senegal, which together with UK collaborators, is developing an affordable COVID-19 RDT (expected to cost $1 per test) for home use in African countries (Financial Times, 2020b). The authors contend that most African countries lack the capacity to administer mass screening to ascertain the extent of the disease spread, and call for support toward the development of homegrown RDTs and POCTs as a strategy to achieve mass screening of COVID-19 in Africa The present review by the authors provides important information on diagnostic challenges facing African countries in their combat against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Specific to the present COVID-19 case, would it be faster and cheaper importing the diagnostic tools, as is already being done by some countries?The authors may wish to put " " section before " COVID-19 point of care testing strategies " section, for consistency with the conclusion.

abstract:
  Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11 (th) March, 2020. As of 1 (st) April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had infected over 800,000 people and caused over 40,000 deaths in 205 countries and territories. COVID-19 has had its heaviest toll on Europe, United States and China. As of 1 (st) of April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa was relatively low, with the highest number registered by South Africa, which had reported 1,380 confirmed cases. On the same date (also the date of this review), Africa had reported 5,999 confirmed cases, of which 3,838 (almost 65%) occurred in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, with the remaining 2,071 cases distributed unevenly across the other African countries. We speculate that while African nations are currently experiencing much lower rates of COVID-19 relative to other continents, their significantly lower testing rates may grossly underestimate incidence rates. Failure to grasp the true picture may mean crucial windows of opportunity shut unutilized, while limited resources are not deployed to maximum effect. In the absence of extensive testing data, an overestimation of spread may lead to disproportionate measures being taken, causing avoidable strain on livelihoods and economies. Here, based on the African situation, we discuss COVID-19 diagnostic challenges and how they may blunt responses.


id: cord-306798-f28264k3
title: Blood-Borne Pathogens: A Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation Symposium
author: Walsh, Geraldine M.
date: 2016-02-23
txt: ./txt/cord-306798-f28264k3.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-306798-f28264k3.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmrv.2016.02.003
doi: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2016.02.003
summary:
  Transfusion services can employ indirect measures such as surveillance, hemovigilance, and donor questioning (defense), protein-, or nucleic acid based direct testing (detection), or pathogen inactivation of blood products (destruction) as strategies to mitigate the risk of transmission-transmitted infection. Cost concerns make it likely that pathogen inactivation will be contemplated by blood operators through the lens of health economics and risk-based decision making, rather than in zero-risk paradigms previously embraced for transfusable products. Dr Margaret Fearon, CBS Medical Director, Medical Microbiology, and Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, discussed the current prevalence of classical transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) in CBS blood donors, new and emerging infectious diseases, how CBS prepares for and manages new risks, and also addressed new paradigms for risk management. Other transfusion-transmissible diseases are currently being monitored as potential emerging threats to the safety of the blood supply, including babesiosis, hepatitis E, CHIKV, and dengue virus.

abstract:
  Testing donations for pathogens and deferring selected blood donors have reduced the risk of transmission of known pathogens by transfusion to extremely low levels in most developed countries. Protecting the blood supply from emerging infectious threats remains a serious concern in the transfusion medicine community. Transfusion services can employ indirect measures such as surveillance, hemovigilance, and donor questioning (defense), protein-, or nucleic acid based direct testing (detection), or pathogen inactivation of blood products (destruction) as strategies to mitigate the risk of transmission-transmitted infection. In the North American context, emerging threats currently include dengue, chikungunya, and hepatitis E viruses, and Babesia protozoan parasites. The 2003 SARS and 2014 Ebola outbreaks illustrate the potential of epidemics unlikely to be transmitted by blood transfusion but disruptive to blood systems. Donor-free blood products such as ex vivo generated red blood cells offer a theoretical way to avoid transmission-transmitted infection risk, although biological, engineering, and manufacturing challenges must be overcome before this approach becomes practical. Similarly, next generation sequencing of all nucleic acid in a blood sample is currently possible but impractical for generalized screening. Pathogen inactivation systems are in use in different jurisdictions around the world, and are starting to gain regulatory approval in North America. Cost concerns make it likely that pathogen inactivation will be contemplated by blood operators through the lens of health economics and risk-based decision making, rather than in zero-risk paradigms previously embraced for transfusable products. Defense of the blood supply from infectious disease risk will continue to require innovative combinations of surveillance, detection, and pathogen avoidance or inactivation.


id: cord-309509-ftwpys3y
title: COVID-19 testing in Africa: lessons learnt
author: Ondoa, Pascale
date: 2020-07-03
txt: ./txt/cord-309509-ftwpys3y.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-309509-ftwpys3y.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666524720300689
doi: 10.1016/s2666-5247(20)30068-9
abstract: nan
summary:
  AFTCOR has led COVID-19 testing capacity scale-up as one of the key objectives under the Africa joint continental strategy for COVID-19 outbreak. 2 The Africa CDC Pathogen Genomics Intelligence Institute, which is also part of the joint continental COVID-19 strategy, provides training and resources to 16 AU member states to generate up to 2500 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences and will enable the submission of these sequences to the Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza Data platform. PCR testing platforms'' footprint within national disease control programmes, and the private and animal laboratory sectors offer an opportunity to make use of free testing capacity and sample referral routes for COVID-19 diagnostics. To address these challenges, Africa CDC launched the Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing on request from AU heads of states, with the following key strategic areas: (1) organising all AU member states as one large customer and coordinating the continuous supply of test kits and commodities at a negotiated price and based on accurate forecast of needs; (2) decentralising COVID-19 testing through strategic planning that can guarantee laboratory quality, biosafety, and the establishment of robust sample referral systems; e104


id: cord-309587-xc4jaw31
title: The Feasibility of Canine Rabies Elimination in Africa: Dispelling Doubts with Data
author: Lembo, Tiziana
date: 2010-02-23
txt: ./txt/cord-309587-xc4jaw31.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-309587-xc4jaw31.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000626
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000626
summary:
  We conclude that (1) rabies substantially affects public and animal health sectors, hence regional and national priorities for control ought to be higher, (2) for practical purposes domestic dogs are the sole maintenance hosts and main source of infection for humans throughout most of Africa and Asia and sufficient levels of vaccination coverage in domestic dog populations should lead to elimination of canine rabies in most areas, (3) the vast majority of domestic dog populations across sub-Saharan Africa are accessible for vaccination with community sensitization being of paramount importance for the success of these programs, (4) improved local capacity in rabies surveillance and diagnostics will help evaluate the impact of control and elimination efforts, and (5) sustainable resources for effective dog vaccination campaigns are likely to be available through the development of intersectoral financing schemes involving both medical and veterinary sectors.

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: Canine rabies causes many thousands of human deaths every year in Africa, and continues to increase throughout much of the continent. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This paper identifies four common reasons given for the lack of effective canine rabies control in Africa: (a) a low priority given for disease control as a result of lack of awareness of the rabies burden; (b) epidemiological constraints such as uncertainties about the required levels of vaccination coverage and the possibility of sustained cycles of infection in wildlife; (c) operational constraints including accessibility of dogs for vaccination and insufficient knowledge of dog population sizes for planning of vaccination campaigns; and (d) limited resources for implementation of rabies surveillance and control. We address each of these issues in turn, presenting data from field studies and modelling approaches used in Tanzania, including burden of disease evaluations, detailed epidemiological studies, operational data from vaccination campaigns in different demographic and ecological settings, and economic analyses of the cost-effectiveness of dog vaccination for human rabies prevention. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We conclude that there are no insurmountable problems to canine rabies control in most of Africa; that elimination of canine rabies is epidemiologically and practically feasible through mass vaccination of domestic dogs; and that domestic dog vaccination provides a cost-effective approach to the prevention and elimination of human rabies deaths.


id: cord-309931-cpzp33b3
title: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on malaria elimination
author: Zawawi, Ayat
date: 2020-10-20
txt: ./txt/cord-309931-cpzp33b3.txt
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url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673120300568?v=s5
doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00187
summary:
  As lowand middle-income countries shift increasingly to focus on identifying and treating COVID-19, questions are emerging about the impact this shift in focus will have on ongoing efforts to control other infectious diseases, such as malaria. This review discusses how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in lowand middle-income countries might impact these efforts, focusing in particular on the effects of co-infection and the use of antimalarial drugs used to treat malaria as therapeutic interventions for COVID-19. This review addresses this gap in the literature by discussing how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in low-and middle-income countries might impact efforts to control malaria. Despite the CQ and HCQ treatment potential for COVID-19, the use of these two drugs could pose many challenges in low-and middle-income countries and not just in malaria-endemic areas.

abstract:
  SARS-CoV-2 has spread throughout the world and become the cause of the infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As low- and middle-income countries shift increasingly to focus on identifying and treating COVID-19, questions are emerging about the impact this shift in focus will have on ongoing efforts to control other infectious diseases, such as malaria. This review discusses how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in low- and middle-income countries might impact these efforts, focusing in particular on the effects of co-infection and the use of antimalarial drugs used to treat malaria as therapeutic interventions for COVID-19.


id: cord-311240-o0zyt2vb
title: Evolution and Genetic Diversity of SARSCoV-2 in Africa Using Whole Genome Sequences
author: Motayo, Babatunde Olarenwaju
date: 2020-07-27
txt: ./txt/cord-311240-o0zyt2vb.txt
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url: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.27.222901
doi: 10.1101/2020.07.27.222901
summary:
  Our study has revealed a rapidly diversifying viral population with the G614 spike protein variant dominating, we advocate for up scaling NGS sequencing platforms across Africa to enhance surveillance and aid control effort of SARSCoV-2 in Africa. The pathogen was later identified to be a novel coronavirus closely related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS), with a possible bat origin (Zhou et al, 2020) . This study was designed to determine to the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of genome sequences of SARSCoV-2 isolated in Africa. Results of recombination analysis of the African SARSCoV-2 (AfrSARSCoV-2) sequences against references whole genome sequences of SARS, Recombination signals were observed between the African SARSCoV-2 sequences and reference sequence (Major recombinant hCoV-19 Pangolin/Guangu P4L/2017; Minor parent hCoV-19 B batYunan/RaTG13) between the RdRP and S gene regions (Figure 2 ).

abstract:
  The ongoing SARSCoV-2 pandemic was introduced into Africa on 14th February 2020 and has rapidly spread across the continent causing severe public health crisis and mortality. We investigated the genetic diversity and evolution of this virus during the early outbreak months using whole genome sequences. We performed; recombination analysis against closely related CoV, Bayesian time scaled phylogeny and investigated spike protein amino acid mutations. Results from our analysis showed recombination signals between the AfrSARSCoV-2 sequences and reference sequences within the N and S genes. The evolutionary rate of the AfrSARSCoV-2 was 4.133 × 10−4 high posterior density HPD (4.132 × 10−4 to 4.134 × 10−4) substitutions/site/year. The time to most recent common ancestor TMRCA of the African strains was December 7th 2019. The AfrSARCoV-2 sequences diversified into two lineages A and B with B being more diverse with multiple sub-lineages confirmed by both maximum clade credibility MCC tree and PANGOLIN software. There was a high prevalence of the D614-G spike protein amino acid mutation (82.61%) among the African strains. Our study has revealed a rapidly diversifying viral population with the G614 spike protein variant dominating, we advocate for up scaling NGS sequencing platforms across Africa to enhance surveillance and aid control effort of SARSCoV-2 in Africa.


id: cord-311601-w2jqmpww
title: African perspectives: modern complexities of emerging, re-emerging, and endemic zoonoses
author: Muzemil, Abdulazeez
date: 2018-10-25
txt: ./txt/cord-311601-w2jqmpww.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.7189/johg.08.020310
doi: 10.7189/johg.08.020310
abstract: nan
summary:
  Specifically, land use change cum agricultural practices, surging human demographic, pathogen evolution (antimicrobial resistance), failure of public health systems, global travel and more global interconnectedness in spatial and temporal dimensions have driven these threats [2] . Consequently, new challenges have emerged, including: border-related conflicts, food security risk due to declines agricultural production, vectorand water-borne diseases, (especially in areas with inadequate health infrastructure), flooding and exacerbation of desertification by changes in rainfall and intensified land use [2] . It is suggested that, as long as Africa (or any other continent) does not address complex interactions -such as those that involve agriculture, the environment, economics, sociology, as well as zoonotic pathogens, disease outbreaks may follow human-driven disruptions, as those observed after major changes in land use, eg, those related with the construction of dams, mines, and intensive agriculture.


id: cord-312759-py2d4rjq
title: Archaeology of Two Pandemics and Teranga Aesthetic
author: Thiaw, Ibrahima
date: 2020-08-25
txt: ./txt/cord-312759-py2d4rjq.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-020-09403-9
doi: 10.1007/s10437-020-09403-9
summary:
  Building on archaeology''s multiple contributions to Africa''s past and observed practices of resilience in Senegal by ordinary people in the face of the spread of COVID-19, this essay reflects on the relevance of the archives, including the archaeological record, as usable resources for managing the problems of our times. S''appuyant sur les multiples contributions de l''archéologie pour la connaissance du passé de l''Afrique et sur les pratiques de résilience observées au Sénégal par les individus ordinaires face à la propagaOur contemporary moment is plagued by two major pandemics: COVID-19 on the one hand and racism and coloniality on the other. A few days before the Mira-Locht exchange, there had been an ecstatic reaction to the March 27 prediction of Antonio Guterres, the United Nations General Secretary, on France 24 television channel and Radio France International (RFI), that "even if the population [in Africa] is younger than in developed countries, there will be necessarily millions of deaths" on the continent due to the COVID-19 pandemic (France 24 2020a, b).

abstract:
  The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how coloniality and racism are endemic to modern society. This was reflected in many early western discourses, French in particular, about the pandemic in Africa. These discourses unveiled old colonial antagonism, projection, stigmatization, and paternalism. The articulation of such discourses among well-informed and sometimes well-meaning people calls for deeper introspection on archaeological practices and modalities of community engagement. Building on archaeology’s multiple contributions to Africa’s past and observed practices of resilience in Senegal by ordinary people in the face of the spread of COVID-19, this essay reflects on the relevance of the archives, including the archaeological record, as usable resources for managing the problems of our times.


id: cord-312954-pnmycagi
author: Tola, Monday
date: 2020-10-27
txt: ./txt/cord-312954-pnmycagi.txt
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33109270/
doi: 10.1186/s13104-020-05334-5
summary:
  This study describes mutations in Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with drug resistance in malaria; Pfk13, Pfmdr1, PfATPase6 and Pfcrt in isolates obtained from 83 symptomatic malaria patients collected in August 2014, aged 1–61 years old from South-west Nigeria. Drug resistance of malaria parasites to previously efficacious first line chemotherapies, chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), led to replacement with artemisinin combination therapies (ACT), and complete removal of CQ [1, 2] . This study describes the molecular prevalence of mutations in the drug resistant genes Pfk13, Pfmdr1, PfATPase6 and Pfcrt from P. Alleles of Pfk13 propeller domain polymorphisms (Y493H, R539T, I543T, C580Y), and PfATPase6 (S679S, M699V, S769M) associated with delayed clearance were determined by Taqman allelic discrimination and sequencing and list of primers used provided in Additional file 1: (Tables S1, 2 ). falciparum drug resistance genes; Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, PfATPase6 and Pfk13 that have been implicated in reduced ACT efficacy [2, 3, 9, 14] .

title:
  Molecular detection of drug resistant polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Southwest, Nigeria

abstract:
  OBJECTIVE: Nigeria bears 25% of global malaria burden despite concerted efforts towards its control and elimination. The emergence of drug resistance to first line drugs, artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), indicates an urgent need for continuous molecular surveillance of drug resistance especially in high burden countries where drug interventions are heavily relied on. This study describes mutations in Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with drug resistance in malaria; Pfk13, Pfmdr1, PfATPase6 and Pfcrt in isolates obtained from 83 symptomatic malaria patients collected in August 2014, aged 1–61 years old from South-west Nigeria. RESULTS: Two Pfmdr1, N86 and Y184 variants were present at a prevalence of 56% and 13.25% of isolates respectively. There was one synonymous (S679S) and two non-synonymous (M699V, S769M) mutations in the PATPase6 gene, while Pfcrt genotype (CVIET), had a prevalence of 45%. The Pfk13 C580Y mutant allele was suspected by allelic discrimination in two samples with mixed genotypes although this could not be validated with independent isolation or additional methods. Our findings call for robust molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance markers in west Africa especially with increased use of antimalarial drugs as prophylaxis for Covid-19.


id: cord-314205-6d5yloxp
author: Tambo, Ernest
date: 2016
txt: ./txt/cord-314205-6d5yloxp.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28058199/
doi: nan
summary:
  CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Strengthening China-Africa health development agenda towards collective commitment and investment in quality care delivery, effective programs coverage and efficiency, preparedness and emergency response is needed in transforming African health information systems, and local health governance structures and management in emerging epidemics. Published papers on Chinese foreign diplomacy and policy reports and previous Chinese literature in relation to infectious diseases prevention and control and elimination programs, research and funding were reviewed to trace international health cooperation actions, information communication and strategies including Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) declarations on health development in 2013 and 2015 in Beijing and Cape Town respectively. Investing in priorities health needs, economic and political, scientific and technological development and empowerment inequalities should be addressed through this win-win mutual partnership with institutions and other international stakeholders in line with global health engagement in infectious and emerging diseases and epidemics especially in Africa and China.

title:
  China-Africa Health Development Initiatives: Benefits and Implications for Shaping Innovative and Evidence-informed National Health Policies and Programs in Sub-saharan African Countries

abstract:
  BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: This review paper examines the growing implications of China’s engagement in shaping innovative national initiatives against infectious diseases and poverty control and elimination in African countries. It seeks to understand the factors and enhancers that can promote mutual and innovative health development initiatives, and those that are necessary in generating reliable and quality data for evidence-based contextual policy, priorities and programs. METHODS: We examined the China-Africa health cooperation in supporting global health agenda on infectious diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, Ebola, TB, HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevention, control and elimination spanning a period of 10 years. We reviewed referenced publications, global support data, and extensive sources related to and other emerging epidemics and infectious diseases of poverty, programs and interventions, health systems development issues, challenges, opportunities and investments. Published literature in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Books and web-based peer-reviewed journal articles, government annual reports were assessed from the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2006 to December 2015 Third Ministerial conferences. RESULTS: Our findings highlight current shared public health challenges and emphasize the need to nurture, develop and establish effective, functional and sustainable health systems capacity to detect and respond to all public health threats and epidemic burdens, evidence-based programs and quality care outcomes. China’s significant health diplomacy emphasizes the importance of health financing in establishing health development commitment and investment in improving the gains and opportunities, importantly efficiency and value health priorities and planning. CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Strengthening China-Africa health development agenda towards collective commitment and investment in quality care delivery, effective programs coverage and efficiency, preparedness and emergency response is needed in transforming African health information systems, and local health governance structures and management in emerging epidemics. Furthermore, innovative evidence of operational joint solutions and strategies are critical in advancing healthcare delivery, and further enhancing Universal Health Care, and Sustainable Development Goals to attain global health improvements and economic prosperity.


id: cord-314489-e5r5s5ee
title: The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Zimbabwe: Quo vadis?
author: Katsidzira, Leolin
date: 2020-05-11
txt: ./txt/cord-314489-e5r5s5ee.txt
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32392333/
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa552
summary:
  The trajectory, and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa is unclear, but it is seemingly varied between different countries, with most reporting low numbers. Using Zimbabwe as an example, we argue that the magnitude, and impact of the epidemic in most of sub-Saharan Africa is likely to be smaller than anticipated, with a reduced morbidity and mortality. This case strongly influenced the subsequent response to COVID-19 by both the government, and the private healthcare industry in Zimbabwe, and played a pivotal role in raising public awareness. There is a link between the volume of international flights, and the magnitude of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa [7, 11] . A potential source of higher than anticipated mortality from COVID-19 disease in sub-Saharan Africa is the high burden of HIV infection [5] . Moreover, considerable progress has It remains unclear whether complete lockdowns are the most ideal method to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Saharan Africa [22] .

abstract:
  The trajectory, and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa is unclear, but it is seemingly varied between different countries, with most reporting low numbers. We use the situation in Zimbabwe to build an argument that the epidemic is likely to be attenuated in some countries with similar socio-economic and cultural structures. However, even an attenuated epidemic may overwhelm weak health systems, emphasising the importance of prevention. These prevention strategies should be tailored to the unique social and cultural networks of individual countries which may facilitate the spread of SARS-CoV 2. It is also equally important to maintain services for the major infectious diseases in the region such as tuberculosis and malaria. A breakdown of treatment and prevention services for these conditions may even overshadow the projected morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.


id: cord-320127-55h4hhm3
title: Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on children''s surgery in Africa
author: Mazingi, Dennis
date: 2020-06-10
txt: ./txt/cord-320127-55h4hhm3.txt
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url: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003016
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003016
abstract: nan
summary:
  13 The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on health services around the world, and paediatric surgical services are no exception. During the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-1 outbreak in Toronto, stringent restrictions on non-essential surgical services were thought to have aggravated precipitous declines in surgical volume, with only small increases in surge capacity for the outbreak. 42 Paediatric care in Africa is typically characterised by significant involvement by guardians and other family members who support the child during hospital admission, assist the overburdened healthcare workforce and act as care advocates. A recent global review of paediatric surgical workforce density showed that a minimum of four paediatric surgeons per million children under 15 years of age would be required to achieve a survival of >80% for a group of four bellwether paediatric surgical conditions. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents: a systematic review


id: cord-321240-f6qh4fva
title: Modelling spatial variations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Africa
author: Adekunle, Ibrahim Ayoade
date: 2020-08-10
txt: ./txt/cord-321240-f6qh4fva.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138998
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138998
summary:
  We relied on the dynamic system generalised method of moment estimation procedure and found a ~0.045 Covid19 deaths as a result of confirmed cases in Africa. We proceed to estimate the dynamic panel data system generalised method of moment (GMM) (Arellano and Bover, 1995) and impose (and test) the common factor restrictions to account for the potential endogeneity of the number of COVID-19 attributable deaths and number of confirmed cases across 52 Africa states. System GMM, renowned for glowing outcomes with persistent data under trifling assumptions (Arellano and Bover, 1995; Blundell and Bond, 1998) , was used to estimate the model of attributable COVID-19 deaths as induced by confirmed cases. This study examined the spatial density of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across 52 African states and leaned empirical credence to the relationship between confirmed cases and attributable deaths.

abstract:
  Clinical and epidemiological evidence has been advanced for human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus rampaging the world since late 2019. Outliers in the human-to-human transmission are yet to be explored. In this study, we examined the spatial density and leaned statistical credence to the global debate. We constructed spatial variations of clusters that examined the nexus between COVID-19 attributable deaths and confirmed cases. We rely on publicly available data on confirmed cases and death across Africa to unravel the unobserved factors, that could be responsible for the spread of COVID-19. We relied on the dynamic system generalised method of moment estimation procedure and found a ~0.045 Covid19 deaths as a result of confirmed cases in Africa. We accounted for cross-sectional dependence and found a basis for the strict orthogonal relationship. Policy measures were discussed.


id: cord-321340-hwds5rja
title: Importations of COVID-19 into African countries and risk of onward spread
author: Sun, H.
date: 2020-05-24
txt: ./txt/cord-321340-hwds5rja.txt
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url: http://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.22.20110304v1?rss=1
doi: 10.1101/2020.05.22.20110304
summary:
  As new epicentres in Europe and America have arisen, of particular concern is the increased number of imported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Africa, where the impact of the pandemic could be more severe. We aim to estimate the number 16 of COVID-19 cases imported from 12 major epicentres in Europe and America to each African 17 country, as well as the probability of reaching 10,000 infections in total by the end of March, April, 18 and May following viral introduction. We aim to estimate the number 16 of COVID-19 cases imported from 12 major epicentres in Europe and America to each African 17 country, as well as the probability of reaching 10,000 infections in total by the end of March, April, 18 and May following viral introduction.

abstract:
  Background The emergence of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 has caused widespread transmission around the world. As new epicentres in Europe and America have arisen, of particular concern is the increased number of imported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Africa, where the impact of the pandemic could be more severe. We aim to estimate the number of COVID-19 cases imported from 12 major epicentres in Europe and America to each African country, as well as the probability of reaching 10,000 infections in total by the end of March, April, and May following viral introduction. Methods We used the reported number of cases imported from the 12 major epicentres in Europe and America to Singapore, as well as flight data, to estimate the number of imported cases in each African country. Under the assumption that Singapore has detected all the imported cases, the estimates for Africa were thus conservative. We then propagated the uncertainty in the imported case count estimates to simulate the onward spread of the virus, until 10,000 infections are reached or the end of May, whichever is earlier. Specifically, 1,000 simulations were run separately under two scenarios, where the reproduction number under the stay-at-home order was assumed to be 1.5 and 1.0 respectively. Findings We estimated Morocco, Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, and Nigeria as having the largest number of COVID-19 cases imported from the 12 major epicentres. Based on our 1,000 simulation runs, Morocco and Algeria's estimated probability of reaching 10,000 infections by end of March was close to 100% under both scenarios. In particular, we identified countries with less than 100 cases in total reported by end of April whilst the estimated probability of reaching 10,000 infections by then was higher than 50% even under the more optimistic scenario. Conclusion Our study highlights particular countries that are likely to reach (or have reached) 10,000 infections far earlier than the reported data suggest, calling for the prioritization of resources to mitigate the further spread of the epidemic.


id: cord-322244-3en3yey1
title: Looming threat of COVID-19 infection in Africa: act collectively, and fast
author: Nkengasong, John N
date: 2020-02-27
txt: ./txt/cord-322244-3en3yey1.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-322244-3en3yey1.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673620304645
doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30464-5
abstract: nan
summary:
  Because of the high volume of air traffic and trade between China and Africa, 1 Africa is at a high risk for the introduction and spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); although only Egypt has reported the first case, from a non-national. To help develop a common strategy that will allow for effective coordination, collaboration, and communication, the African Union Commission, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and WHO, in partnership with African countries, have established the Africa Taskforce for Coronavirus Preparedness and Response (AFTCOR). Second, any effective preparedness and response strategy for COVID-19 requires a committed political will; as such, the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, and WHO convened, on Feb 22, 2020, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, an emergency meeting of all ministers of health of 55 member states to commit to acting fast and collectively to develop and implement a coordinated continent-wide strategy.


id: cord-322364-uo49h1ku
title: The economics of Africa''s floriculture air-cargo supply chain
author: Button, Kenneth
date: 2020-07-06
txt: ./txt/cord-322364-uo49h1ku.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102789
doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102789
summary:
  Air transportation often plays a critical role when the supply-chain involves high-value, non-durable, relatively light-weight, and compact consignments such as flowers, and geographically when regions are difficult to access by other trunk modes. (2014) , using South Africa''s international trade data, shows air transportation generally has a comparative advantage when the trunk-haul movement is over relatively long distances, the perishables involved are light weight, low volume and high value items, and especially if the shelf-life of the product is short. 34 As a consequence, about 10% of the flowers are moved through Kilimanjaro International Airport which can only offer belly-hold space, with the remainder being exported through Nairobi which also has easier, if longer, surface transportation access as well as significantly more air cargo capacity, South Africa is the most mature producer of floriculture products in Africa, with an industry dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.

abstract:
  This article examines the economics of Africa's emerging air cargo supply chains, taking floriculture as a case study. Floriculture is an important employer, and earner of foreign exchange for several regions of central/southern and eastern Africa including more recently Ethiopia. Air transportation often plays a critical role when the supply-chain involves high-value, non-durable, relatively light-weight, and compact consignments such as flowers, and geographically when regions are difficult to access by other trunk modes. The success of air cargo chains, however, depend as much on the quality of surface modes serving various “last mile” access and egress functions, as well as efficient nodal interchange points and the availability of suitable airport and airline capacity. The last, because of the important role of belly-hold space, includes consideration of passenger as well as cargo specific services. To meet the needs of Africa's floriculture sector, a variety of supply-chain models have emerged that embrace air and surface links, as well as storage at various points in the chain. The paper considers the nature of these chains, the reason d'être for their structures, and their limitations.


id: cord-323676-sp8kys0n
title: COVID-19 and Global Poverty: Are LDCs Being Left Behind?
author: Valensisi, Giovanni
date: 2020-10-21
txt: ./txt/cord-323676-sp8kys0n.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-323676-sp8kys0n.txt
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mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-020-00314-8
doi: 10.1057/s41287-020-00314-8
summary:
  Using growth forecasts from various vintages of the World Bank''s Global Economic Prospects (and in some cases from the International Monetary Fund -IMF), other authors find that COVID-19 could trigger an increase in the number of people living below US$1.90/day by 40-100 million (Gerszon Mahler et al. In the second step, the above growth rates, pre-and post-COVID-19, are utilized to ''line up'' the corresponding poverty estimates using PovcalNet, the World Bank''s computational tool, which draws on more than 1500 household surveys from 164 countries and contains the official estimates of poverty at country, regional, and global levels. Focusing on the US$3.20 per day poverty line, South Asia is likely to suffer by far the largest slump, entailing a rise of nearly 4 percentage points in the headcount ratio, equivalent to 74 million additional poor, compared with what would have occurred if the pre-COVID-19 growth forecasts had materialized (Fig. 4) .

abstract:
  The paper provides a preliminary assessment of COVID-19’s impact on global poverty in the light of IMF’s growth forecasts. It shows that the pandemic will erode many of the gains recorded over the last decade in terms of poverty reduction. Our baseline case suggests that globally the number of people living below US$1.90 per day will increase by 68 million in 2020 alone; this rise could however approach 100 million, should the recession turn out to be more severe than initially expected, as many practitioners fear. Without effective international support, this setback will pose a critical threat to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The fallout from the pandemic will also exacerbate the geographic concentration of poverty, to the extent that the Least Developed Countries, with only 14% of the global population, are set to represent the main locus of extreme poverty worldwide.


id: cord-323913-v32c2vda
title: Global Distribution of Infectious Diseases Requiring Intensive Care
author: Istúriz, Raul E.
date: 2006-07-31
txt: ./txt/cord-323913-v32c2vda.txt
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extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16893734/
doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2006.03.004
summary:
  Although children are among the groups most at risk for developing influenza and its complications and are more likely to spread the infection to others, complications of seasonal influenza occur most frequently among patients older than 60 years and those with chronic comorbidities including diseases of the cardiovascular or pulmonary system, diabetes mellitus, hemoglobinopathies, renal insufficiency, and immunosuppression. Generalized tetanus, a protein-toxin mediated neurologic disorder caused by Clostridium tetani, an obligate anaerobic, motile gram-positive rod with terminal spores has traditionally been, and continues to represent despite effective vaccine a common cause of intensive care admissions that are long and are associated with high mortality [33] and cost. The risk of developing clinical tetanus after an acute puncture or laceration is higher in patients older than 60 years, a reflection of waning immunity, with a significant proportion of cases occurring in women [35] , and a low mortality rate.

abstract:
  This article describes infectious diseases that are of special importance to intensivists. The emphasis on epidemiology notwithstanding, it also addresses clinical, diagnostic, and treatment issues related to each infection described. The discussion avoids terrorism-related aspects of these infections, because they were very well covered in the October 2005 issue of the Critical Care Clinics.


id: cord-324929-yw6uqfw6
title: Covid-19 palaver: Ending rights violations of vulnerable groups in Africa
author: Amadasun, Solomon
date: 2020-06-25
txt: ./txt/cord-324929-yw6uqfw6.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-324929-yw6uqfw6.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105054
doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105054
summary:
  It notes that while governments in the region have declared restrictions on social gathering, in a bid to curtail the deadly disease, violations of human rights of vulnerable groups by State security operatives are on the increase. Since human rights reflects an integral aspect of democratic rule, how long will it have to take to become institutionalized in Africa especially given that many state officials are quick to announce the entrenchment of democracy in their respective countries to the rest of the world? Suffice to say that such rights violations are not a matter of an isolated case since deaths and injuries resulting directly from these excessive use of force have been reported in many African countries including Nigeria (Human Rights Watch, 2020; AFP, 2020; Khalid, 2020), Zimbabwe (Ndangana, 2020) , Kenya (Odhiambo, 2020) , and South Africa (Siviwe, 2020; Kunene, 2020) . South Africans urged to ''respect human rights'' amid COVID-19 pandemic

abstract:
  This letter amplifies the rising spate of human rights violations exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. It notes that while governments in the region have declared restrictions on social gathering, in a bid to curtail the deadly disease, violations of human rights of vulnerable groups by State security operatives are on the increase. It argues that the underlying rationale for such abuses emanates from the dearth of a rights-based approach to police-public relations combined with inadequate public health and social care infrastructures for large sections of the populace. Policy implications are drawn out while suggestions are offered to social work professionals given their longstanding commitment to national security and national development.


id: cord-325001-5zd6fydo
title: The COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Predictions using the SIR Model Indicate the Cases are Falling
author: Sinkala, M.
date: 2020-06-03
txt: ./txt/cord-325001-5zd6fydo.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-325001-5zd6fydo.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: http://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.06.01.20118893v1?rss=1
doi: 10.1101/2020.06.01.20118893
summary:
  title: The COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Predictions using the SIR Model Indicate the Cases are Falling To predict the spread of COVID-19 in Africa and within each country on the continent, we applied a Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered mathematical model. Here, our results show that, overall, Africa is currently (May 29, 2020) at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, after which we predict the number of cases would begin to fall in June 2020. Overall, at the end of this pandemic, we predict that approximately 279,000 (about 154,000 future cases) individuals in Africa would have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Here, we use the SIR model to predict the spread of the COVID-19 positive cases on the African continent as a whole and in 45 different countries on the continent. Supplementary File 1: Predict cases of COVID-19 using the SIR model for each day across each country in Africa.

abstract:
  Since the earliest reports of the Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the disease has rapidly spread worldwide, attaining pandemic levels in early March 2020. However, the spread of COVID-19 has differed in the African setting compared to countries on other continents. To predict the spread of COVID-19 in Africa and within each country on the continent, we applied a Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered mathematical model. Here, our results show that, overall, Africa is currently (May 29, 2020) at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, after which we predict the number of cases would begin to fall in June 2020. Furthermore, we predict that the ending phase of the pandemic would be in Mid-August 2020 and that decreasing cases of COVID-19 infections would be detected until around December 2020 and January 2021. Our results also reveal that of the 51 countries with reported COVID-19 cases, only nine, including South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia, are likely to report higher monthly COVID-19 cases in June 2020 than those reported in the previous months. Overall, at the end of this pandemic, we predict that approximately 279,000 (about 154,000 future cases) individuals in Africa would have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Here, our predictions are data-driven and based on the previously observed trends in the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifts in the population dynamics and/or changes in the infectiousness of the COVID-19 virus may require new forecasts of the disease spread.


id: cord-325300-wawui0fd
title: 4 Communicable Diseases
author: Tulchinsky, Theodore H.
date: 2000-12-31
txt: ./txt/cord-325300-wawui0fd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-325300-wawui0fd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/B9780127033501500061
doi: 10.1016/b978-012703350-1/50006-1
summary:
  No less important are organized programs to promote self protection, case finding, and effective treatment of infections to stop their spread to other susceptible persons (e.g., HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, malaria). Very great progress has been made in infectious disease control by clinical, public health, and societal means since 1900 in the industrialized countries and since the 1970s in the developing world. The WHO in 1998 has declared hepatitis prevention as a major public health crisis, with an estimated 170 million persons infected worldwide (1996) , stressing that this "silent epidemic" is being neglected and that screening of blood products is vital to reduce transmission of this disease as for HIu HCV is a major cause of chronic cirrhosis and liver cancer. Varicella vaccine is now recommended for routine immunization at age 12-18 months in the United States, with catch-up for children up to age 13 years and for occupationally exposed persons in health or child care settings.

abstract:
  Publisher Summary In a world of rapid international transport and contact between populations, systems are needed to monitor the potential explosive spread of pathogens that may be transferred from their normal habitat. The potential for the international spread of new or reinvigorated infectious diseases constitute threat to mankind akin to ecological and other man-made disasters. Public health has addressed the issues of communicable disease as one of its key issues in protecting individual and population health. Methods of intervention include classic public health through sanitation, immunization, and well beyond that into nutrition, education, case finding, and treatment, and changing human behavior. The knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of policy makers, health care providers, and parents is as important in the success of communicable disease control as are the technology available and methods of financing health systems. Together, these encompass the broad programmatic approach of the New Public Health to control of communicable diseases.


id: cord-325931-9gqonmf5
author: Nguimkeu, Pierre
date: 2020-10-21
txt: ./txt/cord-325931-9gqonmf5.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-325931-9gqonmf5.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X20303788?v=s5
doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105251
summary:
  Subject to the above-mentioned data quality caveats, our results provide conclusive evidence that the relatively low progression of the epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and the gap observed in the number of active cases compared to the rest of the world can be partly explained by the differences in demographic and geographic factors. where denotes the true COVID-19 outcome variable in country (e.g., log Active Cases); is a binary indicator * (dummy variable) for sub-Saharan Africa, which equals 1 if country is a sub-Sahara African country, and equals 0 otherwise; is the duration of the epidemic in country (i.e. the number of days elapsed since the first confirmed case was reported in country ); is a vector of explanatory variables including epidemiological, = [ 2 ,…, ] demographic, environmental, economic and health infrastructure factors in country ;

title:
  Why is the Number of COVID-19 Cases Lower Than Expected in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Role of Demographic and Geographic Factors

abstract:
  Unlike initially predicted by WHO, the severity of the novel coronavirus pandemic has remained relatively low in Sub-Saharan Africa, more than two months after the first confirmed cases were identified. In this paper, we analyze the extent to which demographic and geographic factors associated to the disease explain this phenomenon. We use publicly available data from a cross-section of 182 countries worldwide, and we employ a regression analysis that accounts for possible misreporting of COVID-19 cases, as well as a Ramsey-type specification that preserves degree of freedom. We found that proportion of population aged 65+, population density, and urbanization are significantly positively associated with high numbers of active infected cases, while mean temperature around the first quarter (January-March) is negatively associated to this COVID-19 outcome. These factors are those for which Africa has a comparative advantage. In contrast, factors for which Africa has a relative disadvantage, such as income and quality of health care infrastructure, are found to be insignificant predictors of the spread of the pandemic. These results hold even when accounting for possible underreporting, as well as differences in the duration of the epidemic in each country, as measured by the time elapsed since the first confirmed case occurred. We conclude that differences in demographic and geographic characteristics help understand the relatively low progression of the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the gap in the number of active cases between this region and the rest of the World. We also found, however, that this gap is insignificant beyond these factors, and is expected to narrow over time as the pandemic evolves. These results provide insights for relevant urban policies and kinds of development planning to consider in the fight against disease spreads of the coronavirus type.


id: cord-326642-kc85pev4
author: Cohen, Adam L.
date: 2015-09-19
txt: ./txt/cord-326642-kc85pev4.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-326642-kc85pev4.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26566534/
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofv139
summary:
  title: Parainfluenza Virus Infection Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Children and Adults Hospitalized for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in South Africa, 2009–2014 After adjusting for age, HIV serostatus, and respiratory viral coinfection, the attributable fraction for PIV was 65.6% (95% CI [confidence interval], 47.1–77.7); PIV contributed to SARI among HIV-infected and -uninfected children <5 years of age and among individuals infected with PIV types 1 and 3. Parainfluenza virus causes substantial severe respiratory disease in South Africa among children <5 years of age, especially those that are infected with HIV. In this study, we aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected and -uninfected children and adults hospitalized with PIV-associated pneumonia in South Africa. Parainfluenza virus is associated with a significant amount of severe respiratory disease in South Africa among children <5 years of age, especially those that are infected with HIV.

title:
  Parainfluenza Virus Infection Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Children and Adults Hospitalized for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in South Africa, 2009–2014

abstract:
  Background. Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a common cause of acute respiratory tract infections, but little is known about PIV infection in children and adults in Africa, especially in settings where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence is high. Methods. We conducted active, prospective sentinel surveillance for children and adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) from 2009 to 2014 in South Africa. We enrolled controls (outpatients without febrile or respiratory illness) to calculate the attributable fraction for PIV infection. Respiratory specimens were tested by multiplex real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for parainfluenza types 1, 2, and 3. Results. Of 18 282 SARI cases enrolled, 1188 (6.5%) tested positive for any PIV type: 230 (19.4%) were type 1; 168 (14.1%) were type 2; 762 (64.1%) were type 3; and 28 (2.4%) had coinfection with 2 PIV types. After adjusting for age, HIV serostatus, and respiratory viral coinfection, the attributable fraction for PIV was 65.6% (95% CI [confidence interval], 47.1–77.7); PIV contributed to SARI among HIV-infected and -uninfected children <5 years of age and among individuals infected with PIV types 1 and 3. The observed overall incidence of PIV-associated SARI was 38 (95% CI, 36–39) cases per 100 000 population and was highest in children <1 year of age (925 [95% CI, 864–989] cases per 100 000 population). Compared with persons without HIV, persons with HIV had an increased relative risk of PIV hospitalization (9.4; 95% CI, 8.5–10.3). Conclusions. Parainfluenza virus causes substantial severe respiratory disease in South Africa among children <5 years of age, especially those that are infected with HIV.


id: cord-327106-drwvzw5l
title: Rethinking the Central Role of Equity in the Global Governance of Pandemic Response
author: Eyawo, Oghenowede
date: 2020-08-25
txt: ./txt/cord-327106-drwvzw5l.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-327106-drwvzw5l.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-020-10001-2
doi: 10.1007/s11673-020-10001-2
summary:
  The global health governance of pandemic preparedness and response needs to move further away from the advocacy of a one-size-fits-all approach that tends to prioritize the interests of high-income countries towards a context-sensitive approach that gives equity a central role in guiding our pandemic preparedness and response strategies. On the other hand, we find the failure of commission-high-income countries (HICs) battle to buy out ventilators, personal protective equipment, and diagnostic tests on the global market, which freezes out any real possibility of LMICs getting these resources. The global health governance response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been largely modelled from the perspective of HICs without due consideration for how and whether it provides a feasible parallel strategy for LMICs. A predominant reliance on extemporaneous prevention measures, such as stay at home orders, frequent handwashing, long-term social distancing, and business closures cannot be easily or effectively translated into the LMIC context without major political and economic changes.

abstract:
  Our initial response to COVID-19 has been plagued by a series of failures—many of which have extended inequity within and across populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The global health governance of pandemic preparedness and response needs to move further away from the advocacy of a one-size-fits-all approach that tends to prioritize the interests of high-income countries towards a context-sensitive approach that gives equity a central role in guiding our pandemic preparedness and response strategies.


id: cord-327139-u5rzp2h4
author: Barrett, Claire L.
date: 2020-05-21
txt: ./txt/cord-327139-u5rzp2h4.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-327139-u5rzp2h4.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2457
doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2457
summary:
  title: Primary healthcare practitioners and patient blood management in Africa in the time of coronavirus disease 2019: Safeguarding the blood supply Whilst commendable work has been performed in health disaster risk management in Africa, 2 and recommendations made on how to maintain the blood supply during infectious outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic, 3, 4 no recommendation can entirely safeguard the blood supply. By implementing principles of patient blood management, primary healthcare practitioners may play an important role in the resilience of the blood supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. By implementing principles of patient blood management, primary healthcare practitioners may play an important role in the resilience of the blood supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. If these principles are applied to all patients who receive primary healthcare during the pandemic, the blood supply may be safeguarded for those who need it most.

title:
  Primary healthcare practitioners and patient blood management in Africa in the time of coronavirus disease 2019: Safeguarding the blood supply

abstract:
  The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted various weaknesses in global healthcare services. The blood supply in Africa is a critical element of the healthcare service that may be significantly affected by the pandemic. By implementing principles of patient blood management, primary healthcare practitioners may play an important role in the resilience of the blood supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.


id: cord-329293-jlrzu0wl
author: Ayanlade, Ayansina
date: 2020-09-14
txt: ./txt/cord-329293-jlrzu0wl.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-329293-jlrzu0wl.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33015370/
doi: 10.1038/s41538-020-00073-0
summary:
  COVID-19 pandemic movement restrictions as part of the control measures put in place by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has implications on food security, as movement restrictions coincided with planting periods for most of the staple crops. This paper examines the potential impacts of COVID-19 movement restrictions on food security in SSA, focusing on the effects on planting days (season) for major staple crops, including effects through restricted access to important farm inputs. While SSA countries have very high potential for maize and rice production (Fig. 2) , the impacts of climate change [44] [45] [46] and recent locust invasion 47, 48 coupled with COVID-19 movement restrictions are likely to reduce the production potential 49 . Climate change and variability in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of current and future trends and impacts on agriculture and food security

title:
  COVID-19 and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa: implications of lockdown during agricultural planting seasons

abstract:
  COVID-19 pandemic movement restrictions as part of the control measures put in place by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has implications on food security, as movement restrictions coincided with planting periods for most of the staple crops. The measures are affecting important staple crops in SSA, and are likely to exacerbate food security challenges in many countries. Achieving adequate food supply in SSA requires developing better policies and packages to confronting the challenge of reducing hunger post COVID-19 pandemic. The lessons learned after COVID-19 crisis will be very important for African countries to rethink their strategies and policies for sustainable economic growth, as COVID-19 many have significant impacts on all sectors of their economies.


id: cord-329953-8nq7fvfh
title: Covid-19 pandemic and the prospects of education in South Africa
author: Le Grange, Lesley
date: 2020-10-19
txt: ./txt/cord-329953-8nq7fvfh.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-329953-8nq7fvfh.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33100404/
doi: 10.1007/s11125-020-09514-w
summary:
  This pandemic has revealed the underbelly of South African society in general and its education system more specifically—it has laid bare the gross inequalities that are the legacies of apartheid and the consequences of neoliberal capitalism. Drawing on ideas articulated in the four introductory chapters of the International Handbook of Curriculum Research, edited by William Pinar in 2014, this article discusses Covid-19 and the prospects of education in South Africa. The article shows how understanding the wisdom of indigenous traditions along with the moral dimensions of education, race, and the new technologies of surveillance, neoliberalism, and education can provide a nuanced awareness of the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic. Accordingly, I divide the rest of the article into the following sections: the moral dimension of education; race, technologies of surveillance, and bio-informationism; neoliberalism and the prospects of education after the Covid-19 pandemic; and why we need Ubuntu-currere.

abstract:
  The Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the world, radically changing our lives and raising new and old questions, both existential and educational. This pandemic has revealed the underbelly of South African society in general and its education system more specifically—it has laid bare the gross inequalities that are the legacies of apartheid and the consequences of neoliberal capitalism. Drawing on ideas articulated in the four introductory chapters of the International Handbook of Curriculum Research, edited by William Pinar in 2014, this article discusses Covid-19 and the prospects of education in South Africa. The article shows how understanding the wisdom of indigenous traditions along with the moral dimensions of education, race, and the new technologies of surveillance, neoliberalism, and education can provide a nuanced awareness of the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic. It then explores the implications of such insights for the field of curriculum studies and, where relevant, for the school curriculum. It concludes by showing how these broad themes intersect and gel around the notion of Ubuntu-currere.


id: cord-329964-reoa8kcw
author: Botreau, Hélène
date: 2020-09-30
txt: ./txt/cord-329964-reoa8kcw.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-329964-reoa8kcw.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2452263520300033
doi: 10.1016/bs.af2s.2020.09.001
summary:
  This chapter will proceed as follows: • Reflecting on how the existing challenges faced by women smallholder farmers were exacerbated by the structural causes of the food price crisis; • Examining major policy responses from governments and the private sector and analyzing their effectiveness in addressing the structural causes of the crisis; • Setting out the lessons learned from the major failures of this policy response; • Identifying key challenges and gaps in financial aid to women smallholder farmers and, more specifically, looking at the level of official development assistance (ODA) targeted to them since 2008; and • Providing policy recommendations to address all of these issues. 3.2.1.4.5 Growing role for multinational enterprise Since the food price crisis, global policy has given more space to the private sector: for instance, the G8 launched its New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa in May 2012, with a goal of "unleashing the potential of the private sector." Developing country governments, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, and multinational firms have all joined in promoting private investment in agriculture in the Global South.

title:
  Gender inequality and food insecurity: A dozen years after the food price crisis, rural women still bear the brunt of poverty and hunger

abstract:
  The global food price crisis of 2007–08 had devastating impacts for the world's poorest people, especially for smallholder farmers and in particular for women, who face discrimination and a heavy burden of household responsibility. The international policy response to the crisis saw the launch of numerous new initiatives and instruments, but funding has been insufficient and policies have failed to address the structural deficiencies in the global food system. A dozen years on, in light of climate change and increased conflict, new policies are needed to reorient the food system so that it prioritizes smallholder communities, with a renewed focus on the needs and aspirations of women.


id: cord-330204-guhrtz1h
title: Rabies elimination research: juxtaposing optimism, pragmatism and realism
author: Cleaveland, Sarah
date: 2017-12-20
txt: ./txt/cord-330204-guhrtz1h.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-330204-guhrtz1h.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29263285/
doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1880
summary:
  We demonstrate how research has generated optimism about the feasibility of achieving global targets of zero human deaths from dogmediated rabies, guided pragmatism in the design of dog vaccination strategies in LMICs, and instilled realism in the path towards global canine rabies elimination. While it is often recommended that a detailed understanding of dog ecology is needed for effective canine rabies control, the consistency of research findings generated over the past 30 years allows us to be confident in concluding that mass dog vaccination is feasible across a wide range of settings and campaigns can and should be initiated without delay. However, a focus on mass dog vaccination currently remains the most pragmatic and cost-effective approach to canine rabies control and elimination.

abstract:
  More than 100 years of research has now been conducted into the prevention, control and elimination of rabies with safe and highly efficacious vaccines developed for use in human and animal populations. Domestic dogs are a major reservoir for rabies, and although considerable advances have been made towards the elimination and control of canine rabies in many parts of the world, the disease continues to kill tens of thousands of people every year in Africa and Asia. Policy efforts are now being directed towards a global target of zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 and the global elimination of canine rabies. Here we demonstrate how research provides a cause for optimism as to the feasibility of these goals through strategies based around mass dog vaccination. We summarize some of the pragmatic insights generated from rabies epidemiology and dog ecology research that can improve the design of dog vaccination strategies in low- and middle-income countries and which should encourage implementation without further delay. We also highlight the need for realism in reaching the feasible, although technically more difficult and longer-term goal of global elimination of canine rabies. Finally, we discuss how research on rabies has broader relevance to the control and elimination of a suite of diseases of current concern to human and animal health, providing an exemplar of the value of a ‘One Health’ approach.


id: cord-330779-mso2zfom
author: Sunkari, Emmanuel Daanoba
date: 2020-09-09
txt: ./txt/cord-330779-mso2zfom.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-330779-mso2zfom.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S0048969720358277
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142298
summary:
  Hence, it is proposed that governments in Africa must put measures like improved WASH facilities and public awareness campaigns, suburbanization of wastewater treatment facilities, utilizing low-cost point-of-use water treatment systems, legally backed policy interventions, and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). Overall, since most of the people living in Africa, especially those dwelling in rural and peri-urban settlements depend on surface and groundwater resources for their domestic water supply, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through SARS-CoV-2 contaminated water is very high and thus, the sources and routes of community spread of the virus, which is currently being reported must be critically re-examined. Since most of the people living in Africa, especially those dwelling in rural and peri-urban settlements depend on surface and groundwater resources for their domestic water supply, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through SARS-CoV-2 contaminated water from wastewater systems is very high.

title:
  Sources and routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water systems in Africa: Are there any sustainable remedies?

abstract:
  Governments across the globe are currently besieged with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Although some countries have been largely affected by this pandemic, others are only slightly affected. In this regard, every government is taking precautionary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in wastewater raising an alarm for Africa due to the poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Also, most countries in Africa do not have resilient policies governing sanitation and water management systems, which expose them to higher risk levels for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, this study unearthed the likely sources and routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water systems (mainly wastewater) in Africa through a holistic review of published works. This provided the opportunity to propose sustainable remedial measures, which can be extrapolated to most developing countries in the world. The principal sources and routes of potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in water systems are hospital sewage, waste from isolation and quarantine centres, faecal-oral transmission, contaminated surface and groundwater sources, and contaminated sewage. The envisioned overwhelming impact of these sources on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through water systems in Africa suggests that governments need to put stringent and sustainable measures to curtail the scourge. Hence, it is proposed that governments in Africa must put measures like improved WASH facilities and public awareness campaigns, suburbanization of wastewater treatment facilities, utilizing low-cost point-of-use water treatment systems, legally backed policy interventions, and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). SARS-CoV-2 in water systems can be inactivated and destroyed by integrating ozonation, chlorination, UV irradiation, and sodium hypochlorite in low-cost point-of-use treatment systems. These proposed sustainable remedial measures can help policymakers in Africa to effectively monitor and manage the untoward impact of SARS-CoV-2 on water systems and consequently, on the health of the general public.


id: cord-331714-2qj2rrgd
title: Single-Stranded RNA Viruses
author: Lvov, Dimitry Konstantinovich
date: 2015-05-29
txt: ./txt/cord-331714-2qj2rrgd.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-331714-2qj2rrgd.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/B9780128017425000088
doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801742-5.00008-8
summary:
  Among them are viruses associated with sporadic cases or outbreaks of human disease, such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (viruses of the genus Hantavirus), Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHFV, Nairovirus), California encephalitis (INKV, TAHV, and KHATV; Orthobunyavirus), sandfly fever (SFCV and SFNV, Phlebovirus), Tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV, Flavivirus), Omsk hemorrhagic fever (OHFV, Flavivirus), West Nile fever (WNV, Flavivirus), Sindbis fever (SINV, Alphavirus) Chikungunya fever (CHIKV, Alphavirus) and others. Artashat virus (ARTSV, strain LEIV-2236Ar) was originally isolated from Ornithodoros alactagalis ticks (family Argasidae) collected in the burrows of a small five-toed jerboa (Allactaga elater) near Arevashat village (40 02 absence of antigenic relationships with any known viruses, it was referred to as an "unclassified bunyavirus." 1À3 Taxonomy.

abstract:
  In this chapter, we describe 73 zoonotic viruses that were isolated in Northern Eurasia and that belong to the different families of viruses with a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) genome. The family includes viruses with a segmented negative-sense ssRNA genome (families Bunyaviridae and Orthomyxoviridae) and viruses with a positive-sense ssRNA genome (families Togaviridae and Flaviviridae). Among them are viruses associated with sporadic cases or outbreaks of human disease, such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (viruses of the genus Hantavirus), Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHFV, Nairovirus), California encephalitis (INKV, TAHV, and KHATV; Orthobunyavirus), sandfly fever (SFCV and SFNV, Phlebovirus), Tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV, Flavivirus), Omsk hemorrhagic fever (OHFV, Flavivirus), West Nile fever (WNV, Flavivirus), Sindbis fever (SINV, Alphavirus) Chikungunya fever (CHIKV, Alphavirus) and others. Other viruses described in the chapter can cause epizootics in wild or domestic animals: Geta virus (GETV, Alphavirus), Influenza A virus (Influenzavirus A), Bhanja virus (BHAV, Phlebovirus) and more. The chapter also discusses both ecological peculiarities that promote the circulation of these viruses in natural foci and factors influencing the occurrence of epidemic and epizootic outbreaks


id: cord-332610-t99l3zii
title: Emerging Diseases: Overview
author: Mayer, J.D.
date: 2008-08-26
txt: ./txt/cord-332610-t99l3zii.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-332610-t99l3zii.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/B9780123739605004536
doi: 10.1016/b978-012373960-5.00453-6
summary:
  The potential for new diseases to emerge in the United States was there, and it took just a few years until this happened, catching the medical and public health communities by surprise. The issue at the time was whether legionnaires disease and toxic shock syndrome were anomalies, whether the assumption of the conquest of infectious diseases had clearly been erroneous, or whether these two outbreaks were harbingers of a new stage in ''epidemiologic history''a historical period during which emerging infections would become common and would catch the attention of the public, the public health community, the medical community, and government agencies. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) proved to be of great import in both the public awareness of emerging infectious diseases and in the testing and real-time construction of both domestic and international systems of public health surveillance and response.

abstract:
  Emerging infectious diseases are diseases that are either new, are newly recognized, or are increasing in prevalence in new areas. Resurgent diseases are also usually grouped in this category, as is antimicrobial resistance. These diseases have been given formal recognition in the past two decades, although a historical outlook demonstrates that the phenomenon has probably been persistent, although largely undetected, through recorded history. Emergence has accelerated recently, driven by factors such as demographic change, land use change, increased rapidity and frequency of intercontinental transportation, and other mostly social trends. Continued infectious disease emergence poses, and will continue to pose, significant challenges for public health and for basic science.


id: cord-334763-3dfob3wi
author: Estrada, Alejandro
date: 2020-08-21
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32884865/
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9816
title:
  Current and future trends in socio-economic, demographic and governance factors affecting global primate conservation

abstract:
  Currently, ~65% of extant primate species (ca 512 species) distributed in 91 countries in the Neotropics, mainland Africa, Madagascar, South Asia and Southeast Asia are threatened with extinction and 75% have declining populations as a result of deforestation and habitat loss resulting from increasing global market demands, and land conversion for industrial agriculture, cattle production and natural resource extraction. Other pressures that negatively impact primates are unsustainable bushmeat hunting, the illegal trade of primates as pets and as body parts, expanding road networks in previously isolated areas, zoonotic disease transmission and climate change. Here we examine current and future trends in several socio-economic factors directly or indirectly affecting primates to further our understanding of the interdependent relationship between human well-being, sustainable development, and primate population persistence. We found that between 2001 and 2018 ca 191 Mha of tropical forest (30% canopy cover) were lost as a result of human activities in the five primate range regions. Forty-six percent of this loss was in the Neotropics (Mexico, Central and South America), 30% in Southeast Asia, 21% in mainland Africa, 2% in Madagascar and 1% in South Asia. Countries with the greatest losses (ca 57% of total tree cover loss) were Brazil, Indonesia, DRC, China, and Malaysia. Together these countries harbor almost 50% of all extant primate species. In 2018, the world human population was estimated at ca 8bn people, ca 60% of which were found in primate range countries. Projections to 2050 and to 2100 indicate continued rapid growth of the human populations in these five primate range regions, with Africa surpassing all the other regions and totaling ca 4bn people by the year 2100. Socioeconomic indicators show that, compared to developed nations, most primate range countries are characterized by high levels of poverty and income inequality, low human development, low food security, high levels of corruption and weak governance. Models of Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios (SSPs) projected to 2050 and 2100 showed that whereas practices of increasing inequality (SSP4) or unconstrained growth in economic output and energy use (SSP5) are projected to have dire consequences for human well-being and primate survivorship, practices of sustainability-focused growth and equality (SSP1) are expected to have a positive effect on maintaining biodiversity, protecting environments, and improving the human condition. These results stress that improving the well-being, health, and security of the current and future human populations in primate range countries are of paramount importance if we are to move forward with effective policies to protect the world’s primate species and promote biodiversity conservation.


id: cord-335117-p03svmfr
title: Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries
author: Mehtar, Shaheen
date: 2020-04-28
txt: ./txt/cord-335117-p03svmfr.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-335117-p03svmfr.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2214109X20302126
doi: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30212-6
abstract: nan
summary:
  Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa : one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries On March 11, 2020, when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by WHO, there were comparatively few cases reported from Africa. Furthermore, the effect of ongoing lockdowns (eg, partial in Senegal and Democratic Republic of the Congo vs total in South Africa) and case-finding mitigation strategies will depend on each country''s political leadership, socioeconomic realities, and epidemic stage. Early evidence of flattening the epidemic curve through a proactive, 30-day total lockdown and physical distancing is being documented in South Africa. However, before physical distancing measures can be eased, it is crucial to have in place a robust and functioning public health infrastructure to scale up case finding through testing, isolation, and contact tracing to ultimately interrupt coronavirus transmission.


id: cord-335191-rxypdzri
author: Umaru, Farouk A.
date: 2020-05-14
txt: ./txt/cord-335191-rxypdzri.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-335191-rxypdzri.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32537428/
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1244
abstract: nan
summary:
  As of 08 April 2020, more than 48 different in vitro diagnostic devices for COVID-19 diagnosis were listed on the World Health Organization website under the International Medical Devices Regulatory Forum jurisdiction as having received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from nine countries, with China authorising 19 devices or technologies (including antibody test kits). But, should African regulatory agencies or the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) begin to issue EUAs for emerging technologies, with limited validation information in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? African Union Member States, through the efforts of Africa CDC and partners, have received technical support to use existing real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) instruments to conduct testing, mostly at national reference or equivalent laboratories. Leveraging existing RT-PCR instruments for COVID-19 diagnosis is an important step in strengthening health systems on the continent for future emergency pandemics.

title:
  Scaling up testing for COVID-19 in Africa: Responding to the pandemic in ways that strengthen health systems


id: cord-335404-s48psqth
author: Mukandavire, Zindoga
date: 2020-07-24
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32706790/
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236003
title:
  Quantifying early COVID-19 outbreak transmission in South Africa and exploring vaccine efficacy scenarios

abstract:
  The emergence and fast global spread of COVID-19 has presented one of the greatest public health challenges in modern times with no proven cure or vaccine. Africa is still early in this epidemic, therefore the extent of disease severity is not yet clear. We used a mathematical model to fit to the observed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa to estimate the basic reproductive number and critical vaccination coverage to control the disease for different hypothetical vaccine efficacy scenarios. We also estimated the percentage reduction in effective contacts due to the social distancing measures implemented. Early model estimates show that COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa had a basic reproductive number of 2.95 (95% credible interval [CrI] 2.83–3.33). A vaccine with 70% efficacy had the capacity to contain COVID-19 outbreak but at very higher vaccination coverage 94.44% (95% Crl 92.44–99.92%) with a vaccine of 100% efficacy requiring 66.10% (95% Crl 64.72–69.95%) coverage. Social distancing measures put in place have so far reduced the number of social contacts by 80.31% (95% Crl 79.76–80.85%). These findings suggest that a highly efficacious vaccine would have been required to contain COVID-19 in South Africa. Therefore, the current social distancing measures to reduce contacts will remain key in controlling the infection in the absence of vaccines and other therapeutics.


id: cord-336168-hvp13ell
title: Influenza in Africa
author: Yazdanbakhsh, Maria
date: 2009-12-15
txt: ./txt/cord-336168-hvp13ell.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-336168-hvp13ell.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000182
doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000182
summary:
  Maria Yazdanbakhsh and Peter Kremsner argue that there needs to be better awareness, surveillance, and clinical management of common febrile diseases in Africa, especially influenza. In tropical Africa, malaria is an important infectious disease and is still thought to be the main cause of febrile episodes in children. In addition, in Tanzania where malaria is considered to be highly endemic, D''Acremont and coworkers refer to recent data indicating that only 10%-40% of under-5year-old patients with fever have malarial parasites in rural areas [19] . Examining symptomatic individuals with recent history of travel to countries where the H1N1 virus was circulating indicated that other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, or parainfluenzavirus were responsible for influenza-like illness [20] . Therefore, not surprisingly, yet often ignored, there is simultaneous transmission of different respiratory viruses and bacteria in addition to malaria that lead to febrile illnesses in Africa and elsewhere in the tropics.

abstract:
  Maria Yazdanbakhsh and Peter Kremsner argue that there needs to be better awareness, surveillance, and clinical management of common febrile diseases in Africa, especially influenza.


id: cord-337730-mqcgqwrb
author: Leroy, Gregoire
date: 2020-08-20
txt: ./txt/cord-337730-mqcgqwrb.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-337730-mqcgqwrb.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2211912420300742
doi: 10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100420
summary:
  The shift from local genetic resources to crossbred and exotic animals must be considered in the context of challenges such as food security, erosion of agrobiodiversity, interactions with other agricultural production, reduction of poverty and provision of ecosystem services, as well as resilience to and mitigation of climate change. We also investigate the relationship between those proportions and estimates of average milk yield per cow for 11 countries, as well as the trends of 190 national breed populations considered as locally adapted, and discuss issues regarding sustainability. In the Second Report on the State of the World''s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO et al., 2015) , countries, especially those of developing regions, reported indiscriminate crossbreeding and introduction or increased use of exotic breeds as the two main causes of genetic erosion.

title:
  Food securers or invasive aliens? Trends and consequences of non-native livestock introgression in developing countries

abstract:
  Importation of livestock genetic resources from industrialized countries for introgression of specific traits and other forms of crossbreeding is often indicative of a shift in production systems toward greater intensification and specialization. In developing countries, imported genetic resources are regarded as both a solution to improve the performance of local livestock and as one of the main threats to local populations. Using international databases, censuses and technical reports, we investigate ongoing trends and consequences of these two phenomena in 40 countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. In these countries, the share of locally adapted breeds within species has decreased by an average of 0.76% per year over the last 20 years. The corresponding increase has been distributed between pure exotic breeds and crossbred animals, with differences across regions. In several countries, increased utilization of exotic cattle breeds and crossbreeding has been accompanied by a trend in increased milk yield per cow. The shift from local genetic resources to crossbred and exotic animals must be considered in the context of challenges such as food security, erosion of agrobiodiversity, interactions with other agricultural production, reduction of poverty and provision of ecosystem services, as well as resilience to and mitigation of climate change.


id: cord-340194-ibli36rq
title: Ebola virus disease: a highly fatal infectious disease reemerging in West Africa
author: To, Kelvin K.W.
date: 2014-11-29
txt: ./txt/cord-340194-ibli36rq.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-340194-ibli36rq.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25456100/
doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2014.11.007
summary:
  Ebolavirus has been known to cause outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever with high fatality in Africa since 1976 [1] . Zaire and Sudan ebolavirus are responsible for most outbreaks, and these species are associated with highest case-fatality rates, ranging from 44e100% and 41e69%, respectively. In addition to clinically apparent EVD outbreaks, seroepidemiology studies showed that there is a high prevalence seropositive individuals, suggesting that asymptomatic or mild infection can occur [15] . The only human case of ebolavirus infection in West Africa before the 2014 outbreak occurred 20 years ago. During the 1976 EVD outbreak, the index case had transmitted the virus to healthcare workers and hospitalized patients with at least 15 generations of person-to-person transmission [29] . Human fatal zaire ebola virus infection is associated with an aberrant innate immunity and with massive lymphocyte apoptosis Analysis of human peripheral blood samples from fatal and nonfatal cases of Ebola (Sudan) hemorrhagic fever: cellular responses, virus load, and nitric oxide levels

abstract:
  Ebolavirus can cause a highly fatal and panic-generating human disease which may jump from bats to other mammals and human. High viral loads in body fluids allow efficient transmission by contact. Lack of effective antivirals, vaccines and public health infrastructures in parts of Africa make it difficult to health workers to contain the outbreak.


id: cord-345067-kummh0g7
title: Mobile Health Technology for Enhancing the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Potential Game Changer?
author: Nachega, Jean B.
date: 2020-05-29
txt: ./txt/cord-345067-kummh0g7.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-345067-kummh0g7.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32476643/
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0506
abstract: Mobile Health Technology for Enhancing the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Potential Game Changer?
summary:
  title: Mobile Health Technology for Enhancing the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Potential Game Changer? Mobile Health Technology for Enhancing the COVID-19 Response in Africa: A Potential Game Changer? 3 However, as lockdowns and social distancing measures are currently being lifted in stages by most African countries, governments will need to ensure that public health infrastructure and needed resources are put in place for community surveillance to identify cases and clusters of new infections through active case finding, large-scale testing, and contact tracing. 7 Mobile phone technology (mHealth) platforms are effective in improving service delivery and outcomes for many health conditions in Africa and globally, including HIV infection, tuberculosis, and chronic noncommunicable diseases. 7, 8 With the support of global mobile technology companies and small and medium enterprises within Africa, mHealth offers opportunities ranging from text messaging to mobile apps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 AND MOBILE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA


id: cord-345662-vm5btiue
author: Walwyn, David R.
date: 2020-10-03
txt: ./txt/cord-345662-vm5btiue.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-345662-vm5btiue.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629620303595
doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101784
summary:
  Based on a study of South Africa''s budget processes, it is concluded that change will only occur when four separate pre-conditions converge, namely a rapidly growing environmental problem capable of leading to civil unrest, a supportive and recently developed policy framework, decreasing techno-economic costs for its solution, and strong political support from an effective ministry or minister. Although there are several publications on green financing within South Africa, such as its broader challenges and necessary design features [23] and the role that public financial intermediaries have already played in the country''s energy transition [24] , there have been no specific studies on how to mobilise and reorient government expenditure for sustainability transitions, and particularly the decarbonisation of its energy sector.

title:
  Turning points for sustainability transitions: Institutional destabilization, public finance and the techno-economic dynamics of decarbonization in South Africa

abstract:
  Existing socio-technical systems tend to be intransigent to change. Decarbonisation, on the other hand, is an imperative, leading to an obvious conflict between the need for, and highly effective resistance to, change. Moreover, the abandonment of fossil fuel-based technologies in favour of more sustainable alternatives will require substantial reallocation of government’s operational expenditure, particularly in countries like South Africa with high per capita greenhouse gas emissions and low per capita income. In this article, it is argued that reallocation will require more than niche experimentation and destabilisation of the present socio-technical regime. Based on a study of South Africa’s budget processes, it is concluded that change will only occur when four separate pre-conditions converge, namely a rapidly growing environmental problem capable of leading to civil unrest, a supportive and recently developed policy framework, decreasing techno-economic costs for its solution, and strong political support from an effective ministry or minister. Turning points for transition, although infrequent, can be reached through strategic attention to these pre-conditions. A modified Kingdon multiple streams approach, which introduces the additional dimension of techno-economic feasibility, is proposed as a useful framework for anticipating when and how to act in order to mobilise sufficient public resources for decarbonisation.


id: cord-347109-vgubi2k8
title: How health inequality affect responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa
author: Okoi, Obasesam
date: 2020-07-10
txt: ./txt/cord-347109-vgubi2k8.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-347109-vgubi2k8.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105067
doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105067
summary:
  Recognizing the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of COVID-19, concerns have arisen about the condition of millions of Africans who lack access to hygiene facilities and clean water services. Recognizing the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of COVID-19, concerns have arisen about the condition of millions of Africans who lack access to hygiene facilities and clean water services. Our analysis reveals the challenging context of mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, given the disparities in health and the socioeconomic conditions in which they arise. Health disparities in Nigeria affect the distribution of water and hygiene services among poor populations, which can lead to a disproportionate impact on public health outcomes during a pandemic outbreak such as COVID-19. The disparity in handwashing facility coverage across sub-Saharan Africa paints a disturbing picture of health inequality that reveals the vulnerability of the poor to the COVID-19 pandemic.

abstract:
  The COVID-19 outbreak has infected millions of people across the world, caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, and collapsed national economies. Recognizing the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of COVID-19, concerns have arisen about the condition of millions of Africans who lack access to hygiene facilities and clean water services. This paper compiles evidence from the WHO-UNICEF data to show the health disparities that limit the capacity of African countries to effectively address the COVID-19 disease along with recommendations for addressing the challenge.


id: cord-347261-d6012uem
author: Hatefi, Shahrokh
date: 2020-06-19
txt: ./txt/cord-347261-d6012uem.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-347261-d6012uem.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S0033350620302717
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.06.033
abstract: nan
summary:
  title: COVID-19 in South Africa: lockdown strategy and its effects on public health and other contagious diseases African countries, with previous experiences on the outbreaks of other infectious disease and pandemic situations, including HIV, Malaria, and Ebola, have limited financial, physical, and medical resources. Although lockdown strategies across many countries have been effective for decreasing the spread rate of contagious viruses, there have been other negative impacts reported globally; these concerns become worse in countries across Africa, including South Africa. In South Africa, the government announced a national-wide lockdown to manage the pandemic situation and decrease the spread rate of the COVID-19 outbreak. With regard to the current global situation during the covid-19 pandemic, different concerns in the public health system of South African people have been raised. Second, the lockdown strategy, social distancing rules, and community containment measures for COVID-19 have negatively impacted the diagnosing and treatment of other contagious diseases, including HIV and Malaria [5, 6] .

title:
  COVID-19 in South Africa: lockdown strategy and its effects on public health and other contagious diseases


id: cord-347778-b2ufs25y
title: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy in Africa
author: Ebigbo, Alanna
date: 2020-08-07
txt: ./txt/cord-347778-b2ufs25y.txt
cache: ./cache/cord-347778-b2ufs25y.txt
extension: .txt
mime: text/plain
url: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1210-4274
doi: 10.1055/a-1210-4274
summary:
  Methods A web-based survey was conducted by the International Working Group of the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the World Endoscopy Organization to determine the impact and effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on endoscopists in African countries. As with all other fields of medical practice, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted gastrointestinal endoscopy, especially with regards to triage and prioritization of patients and procedures, cleaning and disinfection of equipment as well as protection of health care workers (HCW) [11, 12] . To acquire information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in SSA including changes in endoscopic activity, availability of PPE, use of pre-endoscopic screening measures, and capacity of endoscopy units in general, a web-based survey with 29 questions (Appendix 1) was distributed to 86 gastroenterology and endoscopy centres across northern and central Africa and SSA.

abstract:
  Background and study aims As with all other fields of medical practice, gastrointestinal endoscopy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, data on the impact of the pandemic in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. Methods A web-based survey was conducted by the International Working Group of the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the World Endoscopy Organization to determine the impact and effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on endoscopists in African countries. Results Thirty-one gastroenterologists from 14 countries in north, central, and sub-Saharan Africa responded to the survey. The majority of respondents reduced their endoscopy volume considerably. Personal protective equipment including FFP-2 masks were available in almost all participating centers. Pre-endoscopy screening was performed as well. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on gastrointestinal endoscopy in most African countries; however, the impact may not have been as devastating as expected.


