SignificanceMiddle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a zoonotic disease of global health concern, and dromedary camels are the source of human infection. Although Africa has the largest number of dromedary camels, and MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is endemic in these camels, locally acquired zoonotic MERS is not reported from Africa. However, little is known of the genetic or phenotypic characterization of MERS-CoV from Africa. In this study we characterize MERS-CoV from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia. We demonstrate viral genetic and phenotypic differences in viruses from West Africa, which may be relevant to differences in zoonotic potential, highlighting the need for studies of MERS-CoV at the animal–human interface.

Background: Rabies, a viral disease that affects all warm-blooded animals, is widespread in many regions of the world. Human rabies, transmitted by dogs is an important public health issue in Ethiopia. To-date, effective rabies control program still remains to be a reality and needs to be strengthened.. Conclusion:The recorded data showed the underestimate of rabies diagnosis, post exposure prophylaxis and fatal human cases, which could be attributed due to the absence of national rabies surveillance system. Therefore, It is of paramount importance to assess and map the national picture of rabies within a given time interval to launch a national rabies control strategy. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(2):127-132]

This study was conducted in Addis Ababa during the months of January and February, 2011 to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the communities on rabies. A cross-sectional study design and multistage sampling procedures were employed to select households for this study. Kebeles were randomly selected using lottery method from list of kebeles in each sub city, followed by selection of 42 households from each kebeles using systematic random sampling method. The data were collected from 1260 households through face to face interview using pre tested and structured questionnaires. Eighty three percent of the respondents indicated that they had previously heard about rabies. The majority of the study participants 932(75.2%) had moderate level of knowledge and those with satisfactory level of attitude were 649(52.3%) and with intermediate level of appropriate practices were 831(67.0%). There was strong association between knowledge scores and sex; educational level; occupation and household size (p<0.05). However, statistically significant difference was observed only between attitude scores and: age, educational level and monthly income (p<0.05). In this study, higher scores in practices to prevent rabies were recorded in male respondents those who completed higher education (p <0.05). Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between knowledge and practice; attitude and practice. In this study a moderate level of awareness was shown with regard to rabies among the residents of Addis Ababa. Additionally, inaccessibility to appropriate services was also considered as a major reason for the low level of community participation in rabies prevention and control activities.

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.

Reliable data is required on diseases like rabies by policy makers and professionals. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the situation of rabies in and around Addis Ababa using retrospective data obtained during 2008 to 2011. Besides, a questionnaire was used to generate information on factors associated with the occurrence of rabies. A total of 935 brain samples from different species of animals were examined for rabies virus antigen during 2008 to 2011, of which 77.6% (n = 726) of them were tested positive. The highest proportion, 87.2% (n = 633) of the positive cases, was recorded in dogs followed by cats, 5.1% (n = 37). Between the years 2008 and 2011, a total of 1,088 dogs were examined for rabies, of which 801 (73.62%) were confirmed to be rabid. The proportion of rabid female dogs (87.5%) was higher than that of males (73.44%), and dogs 3 to 12 months old were diagnosed with rabies more frequently (76.6%) than dogs belonging to other age category. The highest proportion of rabid dogs was recorded in dogs whose ownership was not known followed by ownerless dogs. Rabies cases were confirmed both in vaccinated and non-vaccinated dogs. The number of confirmed rabies cases was higher during September and lower during November. Significant variation was seen among years in occurrence of rabies. The study shows that the principal vector of rabies in Addis Ababa and its surroundings, but most likely in entire Ethiopia, is the dog. Effective rabies management and control based on confirmed cases is recommended.