# bib

id: cord-350380-4yardtss
author: Jephcott, Freya L.
date: 2017-07-19
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28584181/
doi: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0544
summary:
  title: Facility-based surveillance for emerging infectious diseases; diagnostic practices in rural West African hospital settings: observations from Ghana The aim of this study was to better understand the effectiveness of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) facility-based surveillance in detecting newly emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in rural West African settings. While participants routinely used hospital treatment when confronted with enduring or severe illness, the diagnostic process within clinical settings meant that an unusual diagnosis, such as an EID, was unlikely to be considered. Facility-based surveillance is unlikely to be effective in detecting EIDs due to a combination of clinical care practices and the time constraints associated with individual episodes of illness, particularly in the resource-limited settings of rural West Africa, where febrile illness due to malaria is common and specific diagnostic assays are largely unavailable.

title:
  Facility-based surveillance for emerging infectious diseases; diagnostic practices in rural West African hospital settings: observations from Ghana

abstract:
  The aim of this study was to better understand the effectiveness of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) facility-based surveillance in detecting newly emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in rural West African settings. A six-month ethnographic study was undertaken in 2012 in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana, aimed at documenting the trajectories of febrile illness cases of unknown origin occurring within four rural communities. Particular attention was paid to where these trajectories involved the use of formal healthcare facilities and the diagnostic practices that occurred there. Seventy-six participants were enrolled in the study, and 24 complete episodes of illness were documented. While participants routinely used hospital treatment when confronted with enduring or severe illness, the diagnostic process within clinical settings meant that an unusual diagnosis, such as an EID, was unlikely to be considered. Facility-based surveillance is unlikely to be effective in detecting EIDs due to a combination of clinical care practices and the time constraints associated with individual episodes of illness, particularly in the resource-limited settings of rural West Africa, where febrile illness due to malaria is common and specific diagnostic assays are largely unavailable. The success of the ‘One Health' approach to EIDs in West Africa is predicated on characterization of accurately diagnosed disease burdens. To this end, we must address inefficiencies in the dominant approaches to EID surveillance and the weaknesses of health systems in the region generally. This article is part of the themed issue ‘One Health for a changing world: zoonoses, ecosystems and human well-being'.


id: cord-350456-lter7hy2
title: Diagnostic radiographers’ experience of COVID-19, gauteng south africa
author: Lewis, Shantel
date: 2020-09-18
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url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S1078817420301966
doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2020.09.009
summary:
  title: Diagnostic radiographers'' experience of COVID-19, gauteng south africa Results Sixty diagnostic radiographers representing both the private and public health sector responded to the questionnaire. Implications for practice Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on diagnostic radiographers will allow radiology departments'' management, hospital management, professional bodies and educational institutions to re-evaluate provision of resources, training, employee wellness programs as well as policies and procedures. 10 News reports indicate that the private healthcare sector may accommodate COVID-19 patients from the public health sector at an agreed price. [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] Method A qualitative approach using an open-ended online questionnaire was used to explore Gauteng''s diagnostic radiographers'' experiences of COVID-19. Radiographers shared their experience of medical imaging departments implementing stringent infection control measures that affected work flow and operations. COVID-19) caused by a Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Guidelines for case-finding, diagnosis, management and public health response in South Africa

abstract:
  Introduction As of July 2020, South Africa (SA) had the fifth highest number of COVID-19 infections in the world, with the greatest contributor of these infections, being the province of Gauteng. Diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng providing chest CT, chest radiograph and MRI services are frontline workers experiencing these unprecedented times. Therefore, this study undertook to explore diagnostic radiographers’ experiences of COVID-19. Methods A qualitative approach using an asynchronous opened-ended online questionnaire was used to explore diagnostic radiographers’ experiences of COVID-19. Responses from purposively sampled diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng SA, underwent thematic analysis. Results Sixty diagnostic radiographers representing both the private and public health sector responded to the questionnaire. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: new work flow and operations, effect on radiographer well-being and radiographer resilience. Conclusion Besides experiencing a shift in their professional work routine and home/family dynamics, diagnostic radiographers’ well-being has also been impacted by COVID-19. Adapting to the “new way of work” has been challenging yet their resilience and dedication to their profession, providing quality patient care and skill expertise is their arsenal to combat these challenges. Implications for practice Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on diagnostic radiographers will allow radiology departments’ management, hospital management, professional bodies and educational institutions to re-evaluate provision of resources, training, employee wellness programs as well as policies and procedures. Note: A graphical abstract has been submitted for consideration: The stick person (non-gender, non-race) represents the radiographer, pushing up the boulder of emotions and experiences as the COVID-19 infections continue to raise in SA. Yet radiographers draw on the positives and soldier on hence the use of the super hero cape.


id: cord-353185-aapg75af
title: The value of China-Africa health development initiatives in strengthening “One Health” strategy
author: Tambo, Ernest
date: 2019-09-24
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url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S2414644719300624
doi: 10.1016/s2414-6447(19)30062-4
summary:
  Building the value of China-Africa "One Health" strategy partnerships, frameworks and capacity development and implementation through leveraging on current and innovative China-Africa health initiatives, but also, mobilizing efforts on climatic changes and disasters mitigation and lifestyle adaptations strategies against emerging and current infectious diseases threats are essential to establish epidemic surveillance-response system under the concept of global collaborative coordination and lasting financing mechanisms. Africa CDC focus on strategic priority areas and innovative programs aiming at improving evidence-based decision making and practice in event-based capacity development for surveillance, disease prediction, and improved functional clinical and public health laboratory networks and actions in minimizing health inequalities, and promoting quality care delivery, public health emergency preparedness and response best practices in achieving regional [1, 4, 10] .

abstract:
  Implementing national to community-based “One Health” strategy for human, animal and environmental challenges and migrating-led consequences offer great opportunities, and its value of sustained development and wellbeing is an imperative. “One Health” strategy in policy commitment, partnership and financial investment are much needed in advocacy, contextual health human-animal and environmental development. Therefore, appropriate and evidence-based handling and management strategies in moving forward universal health coverage and sustainable development goals (SDGs) are essential components to the China-Africa health development initiatives. It is necessary to understand how to strengthen robust and sustainable “One Health” approach implementation in national and regional public health and disaster risk reduction programs. Understanding the foundation of “One Health” strategy in China-Africa public health cooperation is crucial in fostering health systems preparedness and smart response against emerging and re-emerging threats and epidemics. Building the value of China-Africa “One Health” strategy partnerships, frameworks and capacity development and implementation through leveraging on current and innovative China-Africa health initiatives, but also, mobilizing efforts on climatic changes and disasters mitigation and lifestyle adaptations strategies against emerging and current infectious diseases threats are essential to establish epidemic surveillance-response system under the concept of global collaborative coordination and lasting financing mechanisms. Further strengthen local infrastructure and workforce capacity, participatory accountability and transparency on “One Health” approach will benefit to set up infectious diseases of poverty projects, and effective monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving African Union 2063 Agenda and SDGs targets both in Africa and China.


id: cord-354590-vipfgvgh
author: Sylvester, Steven P.
date: 2020-10-07
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33110384/
doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.162.55550
summary:
  We present taxonomic notes on the Festuca caprina complex from southern Africa that includes description and illustration of the new species F. exaristata – currently known from two collections from Lesotho − by its fibrous basal sheaths, usually sharp, keel-like leaf blade midrib, drooping panicle with lightly to densely scabrous pendent panicle branches, longer lemmas, 4.5−5.8 mm long, with awns usually present, 0.5–3 mm long, ovary apices sparsely to densely hairy and anthers 0.8−1.6(−1.8) mm long. Differs from Festuca exaristata by its basal sheaths fibrous, leaf blade midrib usually sharp, keel-like, sometimes blunt and rounded, panicle branches pendent, lightly to densely scabrous, lowermost lemma (not including awn) 4.5−5.8 mm long, awn usually present, 0.5-3 mm long, ovary apex sparsely to densely hairy and anthers 0.8−1.6(−1.8) mm long.

title:
  Festuca drakensbergensis (Poaceae): A common new species in the F. caprina complex from the Drakensberg Mountain Centre of Floristic Endemism, southern Africa, with key and notes on taxa in the complex including the overlooked F. exaristata

abstract:
  We present taxonomic notes on the Festuca caprina complex from southern Africa that includes description and illustration of the new species F. drakensbergensis from the Drakensberg Mountain Centre of Floristic Endemism of South Africa and Lesotho. Festuca drakensbergensis can be differentiated from F. caprina s.l. by forming lax short tufts with extravaginally-branching tillers and lateral-tending cataphyllous shoots or rhizomes present, basal foliage reaching < ½ the length of the culms, with generally shorter leaves and shorter anthers, 0.8−1.6(−1.8) mm long. The species also differs from the overlooked species F. exaristata – currently known from two collections from Lesotho − by its fibrous basal sheaths, usually sharp, keel-like leaf blade midrib, drooping panicle with lightly to densely scabrous pendent panicle branches, longer lemmas, 4.5−5.8 mm long, with awns usually present, 0.5–3 mm long, ovary apices sparsely to densely hairy and anthers 0.8−1.6(−1.8) mm long. Taxonomic notes on the different taxa of the F. caprina complex in southern Africa are also provided, including images, key, and lectotypification of F. caprina var. curvula. This research adds a further two endemic species (F. drakensbergensis and F. exaristata) and two endemic varieties (F. caprina var. irrasa and F. caprina var. macra) to the Drakensberg Mountain Centre of Floristic Endemism.


id: cord-354972-nc496v6s
title: Prospects for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in Africa
author: Margolin, Emmanuel
date: 2020-09-10
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32913297/
doi: 10.1038/s41579-020-00441-3
summary:
  As of 8 August 2020, there have been over 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa, with 29,833 deaths reported (Africa CDC) There is concern that the pandemic may pose an even greater risk to countries in Africa owing to their weak health-care infrastructure, large burden of co-infections, including HIV-1 and tuberculosis, and ongoing outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infections such as Ebola virus (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Lassa haemorrhagic fever (Nigeria) that will divert much-needed resources away from the fight against COVID-19 (ref. Given the optimistic development timeline of 12-18 months before any vaccines could be available for widespread use, it is clear that these efforts will not Box 1 | Potential impact of climate on SArS-coV-2 dissemination the comparatively low incidence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COviD19) in africa has raised the possibility that climate could influence the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-Cov-2).

abstract:
  The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a global pandemic, prompting unprecedented efforts to contain the virus. Many developed countries have implemented widespread testing and have rapidly mobilized research programmes to develop vaccines and therapeutics. However, these approaches may be impractical in Africa, where the infrastructure for testing is poorly developed and owing to the limited manufacturing capacity to produce pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, a large burden of HIV-1 and tuberculosis in Africa could exacerbate the severity of infection and may affect vaccine immunogenicity. This Review discusses global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, with these considerations in mind. We also highlight vaccine and diagnostic production platforms that are being developed in Africa and that could be translated into clinical development through appropriate partnerships for manufacture.


id: cord-355074-u5s3uzp6
title: COVID-19 Pandemic: Is Africa Different?
author: Bamgboye, Ebun L.
date: 2020-11-03
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url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S002796842030345X
doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2020.10.001
summary:
  We also collected data on variables that could explain the apparent differences in COVID-19 case numbers, mortality, and tests in Africa, compared to other parts of the world. Case numbers, mortality, number of tests performed, and demographic data were summarized and compared by continents, regions, and countries within the continent of Africa. The number of cases per million population (pmp) globally is 2,278, with South America (9549 pmp), North America (9,331) and Europe (3,842) the most affected regions, while Africa has a lower rate of 695 pmp ( Figure 2 ). Within the continent as well, countries with slightly older populations like Egypt and South Africa are also the ones with the highest numbers and the greater case fatality rates ( Figure 5 ). The prevalence of these conditions is greatest in the countries of the Maghreb and South Africa all of which have the highest case numbers and the worst CFR on the continent (Figures 6 and 7) .

abstract:
  COVID-19 has now spread to all the continents of the world with the possible exception of Antarctica. However, Africa appears different when compared with all the other continents. The absence of exponential growth and the low mortality rates contrary to that experienced in other continents, and contrary to the projections for Africa by various agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) has been a puzzle to many. Although Africa is the second most populous continent with an estimated 17.2% of the world's population, the continent accounts for only 5% of the total cases and 3% of the mortality. Mortality for the whole of Africa remains at a reported 19,726 as at August 01, 2020. The onset of the pandemic was later, the rate of rise has been slower and the severity of illness and case fatality rates have been lower in comparison to other continents. In addition, contrary to what had been documented in other continents, the occurrence of the renal complications in these patients also appeared to be much lower. This report documents the striking differences between the continents and within the continent of Africa itself and then attempts to explain the reasons for these differences. It is hoped that information presented in this review will help policymakers in the fight to contain the pandemic, particularly within Africa with its resource-constrained health care systems.


id: cord-355343-dtdsd8j2
title: Social consequences of COVID-19 in a low resource setting in Sierra Leone, West Africa
author: Buonsenso, Danilo
date: 2020-06-01
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url: https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/pii/S1201971220304112
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.104
summary:
  We drafted a survey in order to address the social impact of COVID-19 lockdown on a rural village in Sierra Leone. The survey developed by the study group and translated in the local language, distributed to the householders of the village on April 13(th) and responses collected on April 14(th), when Sierra Leone was on day 11 of lockdown. Economical and psychological consequences of the lockdown in low resources setting in rural Africa are worrying the experts of global health (El-Sadr et al. We drafted a survey in order to urgently address the social impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the rural village of Bureh Town, Sierra Leone, West Africa (figure 1) and quickly implement corrective measures. In our survey, all people but one declared a 51% to 100% reduction of weekly income with consequences in the ability to provide food for the family members, thus confirming results by other studies (Dyer 2020) .

abstract:
  Economical and psychological consequences of the lockdown in low-resource setting in rural Africa are unknown. We drafted a survey in order to address the social impact of COVID-19 lockdown on a rural village in Sierra Leone. The survey developed by the study group and translated in the local language, distributed to the householders of the village on April 13(th) and responses collected on April 14(th), when Sierra Leone was on day 11 of lockdown. The questions aimed to assess in the community the following items: age group, main activities before lockdown, change in income and ability to feed the family during lockdown, anxiety during lockdown. 78 householders (100% of Bureh Town) replied. All, expect one, declared a 51-80% (19.2%) to 81-100% (79.4%) reduction of weekly income compared with the pre-lockdown period, declaring difficulties in providing food for the family members (82%), and anxiety (60%). Our analyses showed that people lost their jobs and have difficulties in providing food for their families.


id: cord-356074-kw8c2fgk
author: Oboh, Mary Aigbiremo
date: 2020-08-13
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url: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32800861/
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.08.027
summary:
  Genomic technologies have been vital in enhancing the understanding and development of intervention approaches against these, such as Ebola, and recently the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). CONCLUSION: The ACDC needs to scale-up its campaign for government support across African Union countries to ensure sustainable financing of its strategy for increased pathogen genomic intelligence and other interventions in current and inevitable future epidemics in Africa. The ACDC needs to scale-up its campaign for government support across African Union countries to ensure sustainable financing of its strategy for increased pathogen genomic intelligence and other interventions in current and inevitable future epidemics in Africa. In the event of epidemics such as COVID-19, genomic data generation for real-time decision making could be enhanced by the adoption and decentralised application of small, portable, easily operated experimental tools such as Oxford Nanopore technology-MinION sequencer, Illumina MiniSeq or the BGI-DNBSeq across all countries.

title:
  Translation of genomic epidemiology of infectious pathogens: Enhancing African genomics hubs for outbreaks

abstract:
  BACKGROUND: Deadly emerging infectious pathogens place unprecedented challenge on health systems and economies, especially across Africa where health care infrastructures are weak, and poverty rates remain high. Genomic technologies have been vital in enhancing the understanding and development of intervention approaches against these, such as Ebola, and recently the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DISCUSSION: Africa has contributed a limited number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to the global pool in growing open access repositories. To bridge this gap, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) is coordinating initiatives across the continent to establish genomic hubs in selected well-resourced African centres of excellence. This will allow for standardisation, efficient and rapid data generation and curation. However, the strategy to ensure capacity for high-throughput genomics at selected genomics hubs should not overshadow the deployment of portable, field-friendly and technically less demanding genomics technologies in all affected countries. This will enhance small scale local genomic surveillance in outbreaks, leaving validation and large-scale approaches at central genomic hubs. CONCLUSION: The ACDC needs to scale-up its campaign for government support across African Union countries to ensure sustainable financing of its strategy for increased pathogen genomic intelligence and other interventions in current and inevitable future epidemics in Africa.


id: cord-356304-lepsuyns
title: Building Resilient Food Systems in Africa
author: Braimoh, Ademola
date: 2020-09-09
url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332220304231
doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.08.014
abstract:
  Climate change constitutes a significant threat to food security and poverty reduction in Africa, and the food system is severely off target in meeting development goals. Policy response should focus on investing in agricultural public goods, scaling up digital solutions, and developing innovative finance mechanisms to enhance resilience.


