In Sub-Saharan Africa, where burden, impact, and incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the highest in the world, conversely, the epidemiology of influenza-associated severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) is incompletely known. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of influenza-associated SARI in hospitalized children in Maputo city, Mozambique. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from children aged 0–14 years old who met the case definition for SARI in two hospitals in Maputo city after their parents or legal representative consented to participate. A structured questionnaire was used to collect clinical and demographic data. Typing and subtyping of influenza were performed by real-time PCR. From January 2014 to December 2016, a total of 2,007 eligible children were recruited, of whom 1,997 (99.5%) were screened for influenza by real-time PCR. The median age of participants was 16.9 months (IQR: 7.0–38.9 months) and 53.9% (1076/1991) were male. A total of 77 were positive for influenza, yielding a frequency of 3.9% (77/1,991), with the highest frequency being reported in the age group 1–5 years old. Cases of influenza peaked twice each year, during which, its frequency reached up to 60%-80%. Among all influenza confirmed cases, 33.7% (26/77), 35.1% (27/77) and 28.6% (22/77) were typed as influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1pdm09, and B, respectively. This represents the first report of influenza in urban/sub urban setting in Mozambique and the first evidence of distribution of strains of influenza in the country. Our data showed that frequency of influenza was lower than reported in a rural setting in Mozambique and the frequency of seasonal (A/H1N1pdm09) and (A/H3N2) subtypes were similar in children with SARI.

275'never', suggesting that lack of PPE is a notable barrier to the effective performance of monkeypox surveillance activities.Conclusion: We have demonstrated that the MPX curriculum developed for this initiative was effective in transferring knowledge and was associated with improved detection of human MPX cases. Similar models for training local health care workers and the provision of simple investigation tools may be useful for improving surveillance and response to other infectious diseases of epidemic potential in resource-poor settings in line with the model outlined for IDSR in Africa.http://dx.

HIV viral suppression through antiretroviral (ARV) treatment has public health benefits in potentially reducing the risk of subsequent HIV transmissions. Mozambique has adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) “Test and Start” strategy, which assumes that all people who test positive for HIV start ARV treatment immediately. In order that treatment is guided by the respective HIV viral load (VL) test results, the MOH expanded the network of VL testing laboratories. About 26 VL testing instruments are now operational in the country. Although the increase in testing platforms increased VL tests performed, problems associated with errors, failures in user maintenance, and equipment malfunctions occur frequently. Delays in resolving equipment malfunctions contributed to lower laboratory productivity in certain periods of 2018. Therefore, the MOH, in coordination with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and VL testing instrument manufacturers, provided targeted training for VL laboratory Super Users (SUs). The SUs are primarily composed of laboratory technicians representing all VL laboratories. Training focused on equipment maintenance, software configuration, and troubleshooting the most common instrument-related problems and errors. Following this training, the SUs worked as in-laboratory equipment supervisors, helping laboratory staff to better perform equipment maintenance procedures. Furthermore, they worked remotely with representatives and field technicians of the instrument manufacturers to resolve small problems, such as accessory replacement and adding new users to the systems, in their own laboratories. This has led to a reduction in the overall time to equipment repair, less reliance on external field technicians, and correspondingly increased overall lab productivity and workforce capacity building for VL laboratory SU.

Following the WHO 2013 recommendations for routine HIV viral load (VL) testing as the tool to monitor antiretroviral therapy, countries have prepared for massive testing scale-up. However, developing countries that also bear the highest HIV prevalence often lack qualified human resources and basic infrastructure. Mozambique has established 13 VL laboratories, including 2 in the province with the highest overall HIV prevalence, Gaza. The challenges to VL testing implementation and this rapid scale-up demand an urgent investment toward laboratory accreditation to ensure accurate and reliable VL results. To identify gaps and areas for improvement where additional resources may be needed to provide high-quality VL testing services, the CDC developed a VL and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) scorecard (106 points; 5 levels). The scorecard evaluates 9 key areas, including (1) Personnel, (2) Facility/Environment, (3) Safety, (4) Procurement/Inventory, (5) Sample Management, (6) Equipment, (7) Process Control, (8) M&E Documents and Records, and (9) Internal Quality Audits/Quality Indicators. These 9 essential areas cover the pretesting, testing, and posttesting phases along the continuum of care for HIV patients. Baseline assessments in the two VL and EID laboratories in Gaza Province, Carmelo Molecular Laboratory and Xai-Xai Molecular Laboratory, were recently conducted. Personnel standards and M&E documentation represented strengths across both laboratories, with over 70% of the master list of M&E documents having been developed and in use. The overall gaps identified included poor segregation and prioritization of higher VL results (>1,000 cp/mL), lack of internal audits, and no follow-up of nonconformities. Both laboratories scored in the level 2 range, with a total of 68 points (Carmelo) and 78 points (Xai-Xai). Considering this is a baseline assessment, we conclude that both labs are on an excellent path toward accreditation; however, additional laboratory quality mentorship is needed in order to reach accreditation standards.

An approriate approach is needed for Mozambique reality to maintain the appropriate surveillance of influenza and other respiratory virus. Such approaches include the appropriate hospital staff (commitment and understanding), flow within the system, cost-effectiveness, case definitions and selection of the sentinel sites. The approach used at the start of the influenza surveillance yield to low income of samples, but more flu positive cases detected, with other challenges related to staff commitment, awarness and others. A second approach was adopted and specimens income increased, but the flu positivity was low and some other challenges remains to be find out and overcome.