COVID-19 and neglected tropical diseases in Africa: impacts, interactions, consequences

Molyneux, David; Aboe, Agatha; Isiyaku, Sunday; Bush, Simon R.

doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihaa040

Cited by 58 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Africa also has a proportionately larger rural community than other geographies—an advantage as most cases and local transmission have been primarily confined to urban areas. The median age of African populations is significantly lower than in Europe as pointed out in [ 1 ] at around 20 in Africa and 45 in Europe. Given most COVID-19 deaths are occurring in the post 65 cohort then the case fatality in Africa would be expected to be lower.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…We have described the world as being “assaulted by COVID-19” [ 1 ]. The term ‘post-COVID-19’ has been used to provide assurance the assault will end, the impact will be temporary, and a post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) world will emerge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The true prevalence of COVID-19 globally is likely to be much higher than published data, as reported by model analysis [ 11 ]. Given the varied quality of surveillance, the extent and effectiveness of testing, the accuracy of certification of the cause of death (if any) as well as the paucity death reporting, particularly in rural settings, the true situation is not known despite the suggestion, that to date, COVID-19 has not impacted on Africa as might have been expected or predicted [ 1 , 3 ]. As the virus is now endemic COVID-19 mitigation strategies will therefore become the new normal for all medical interventions and consultations as well as public health programmes, including NTD programmes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neglected tropical diseases activities in Africa in the COVID-19 era: the need for a “hybrid” approach in COVID-endemic times

Molyneux

Bush²,

Bannerman

et al. 2021

Infect Dis Poverty

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With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic showing no signs of abating, resuming neglected tropical disease (NTD) activities, particularly mass drug administration (MDA), is vital. Failure to resume activities will not only enhance the risk of NTD transmission, but will fail to leverage behaviour change messaging on the importance of hand and face washing and improved sanitation—a common strategy for several NTDs that also reduces the risk of COVID-19 spread. This so-called “hybrid approach” will demonstrate best practices for mitigating the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by incorporating physical distancing, use of masks, and frequent hand-washing in the delivery of medicines to endemic communities and support action against the transmission of the virus through water, sanitation and hygiene interventions promoted by NTD programmes. Unless MDA and morbidity management activities resume, achievement of NTD targets as projected in the WHO/NTD Roadmap (2021–2030) will be deferred, the aspirational goal of NTD programmes to enhance universal health coverage jeopardised and the call to ‘leave no one behind’ a hollow one. We outline what implementing this hybrid approach, which aims to strengthen health systems, and facilitate integration and cross-sector collaboration, can achieve based on work undertaken in several African countries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neglected tropical diseases activities in Africa in the COVID-19 era: the need for a “hybrid” approach in COVID-endemic times

Molyneux

Bush²,

Bannerman

et al. 2021

Infect Dis Poverty

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…donated deworming drugs might not reach the countries in need in time), and campaigns for the control and elimination of NTDs are postponed or discontinued (e.g. closure of schools will prevent deworming campaigns through the education sector) [ 6 – 8 ]. Hence, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic not only has direct, but also indirect impacts on NTDs and these are likely to revert progress made over the past 10–15 years [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Section: Direct and Indirect Impacts Of Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Staying home is not an option for the vast majority of workers in the informal sector. Physical distancing and adherence to basic prevention measures are also not possible for populations living in densely packed slums with no access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) [ 8 , 14 ].…”

Section: Direct and Indirect Impacts Of Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: potential entry points for neglected tropical diseases

et al. 2021

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Background The damage inflicted by the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upon humanity is and will continue to be considerable. Unprecedented progress made in global health over the past 20 years has reverted and economic growth has already evaporated, giving rise to a global recession, the likes of which we may not have experienced since the Second World War. Our aim is to draw the attention of the neglected tropical disease (NTD) community towards some of the major emerging economic opportunities which are quickly appearing on the horizon as a result of COVID-19. Main text This scoping review relied on a literature search comprised of a sample of articles, statements, and press releases on initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19, while supporting economic recovery. Of note, the donor scenario and economic development agendas are highly dynamic and expected to change rapidly as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, as are donor and lender priorities. Conclusions The NTD community, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), will need to work quickly, diligently, and in close collaboration with decision-makers and key stakeholders, across sectors at national and international level to secure its position. Doing so might enhance the odds of grasping potential opportunities to access some of the massive resources that are now available in the form of contributions from corporate foundations, trust funds, loans, debt relieve schemes, and other financial mechanisms, as part of the ongoing and future economic development agendas and public health priorities driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper should serve as a starting point for the NTD community to seek much needed financial support in order to sustain and revitalize control and elimination efforts pertaining to NTDs in LMICs.

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Cholera rages in Africa and the Middle East: A narrative review on challenges and solutions

Ahmed,

Sijercic,

Akhtar

et al. 2024

Health Science Reports

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Background and AimCholera is a life‐threatening infectious disease that is still one of the most common acute watery diarrheal diseases in the world today. Acute diarrhea and severe dehydration brought on by cholera can cause hypovolemic shock, which can be fatal in minutes. Without competent clinical therapy, the rate of case fatality surpasses 50%. The purpose of this review was to highlight cholera challenges in Africa and the Middle East and explain the reasons for why this region is currently a fertile environment for cholera. We investigated cholera serology, epidemiology, and the geographical distribution of cholera in Africa and the Middle East in 2022 and 2023. We reviewed detection methods, such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and treatments, such as antibiotics and phage therapy. Finally, this review explored oral cholera vaccines (OCVs), and the vaccine shortage crisis.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Embase, for studies on cholera using the following keywords: ((Cholera) OR (Vibrio cholera) and (Coronavirus) OR (COVID‐19) OR (SARS‐CoV2) OR (The Middle East) OR (Africa)).Results and ConclusionsCholera outbreaks have increased dramatically, mainly in Africa and many Middle Eastern countries. The COVID‐19 pandemic has reduced the attention devoted to cholera and disrupted diagnosis and treatment services, as well as vaccination initiatives. Most of the cholera cases in Africa and the Middle East were reported in Malawi and Syria, respectively, in 2022. RDTs are effective in the early detection of cholera epidemics, especially with limited advanced resources, which is the case in much of Africa. By offering both direct and indirect protection, expanding the use of OCV will significantly reduce the burden of current cholera outbreaks in Africa and the Middle East.

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COVID-19 and neglected tropical diseases in Africa: impacts, interactions, consequences

Cited by 58 publications

References 11 publications

Neglected tropical diseases activities in Africa in the COVID-19 era: the need for a “hybrid” approach in COVID-endemic times

Neglected tropical diseases activities in Africa in the COVID-19 era: the need for a “hybrid” approach in COVID-endemic times

Efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: potential entry points for neglected tropical diseases

Cholera rages in Africa and the Middle East: A narrative review on challenges and solutions

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