Responding to the Challenge of the Dual COVID-19 and Ebola Epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo—Priorities for Achieving Control

Nachega, Jean B.; Mbala-Kingebeni, Placide; Otshudiema, John Otokoye; Mobula, Linda Meta; Preiser, Wolfgang; Kallay, Oscar; Michaels-Strasser, Susan; Breman, Joel G.; Rimoin, Anne W.; Nsio, Justus; Ahuka‐Mundeke, Steve; Zumla, Alimuddin; Tamfum, Jean Jacques Muyembe

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-0642

Cited by 48 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It was beyond the scope of this study to address the numerous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the DRC [ 22 ], but we believed that the objective findings of our pragmatic survey could contribute to offer a holistic approach of its management in Africa [ 3 ]. Our study was conducted at a very early stage of the pandemic, i.e., when the first cases were being reported from Kinshasa and before any cases had occurred in the area where the surveys were done (except for the last market surveyed).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Kuhangana

Mbayo

Kitenge

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. Public markets were exempted from the restrictive regulations instituted to limit the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the early stage of the pandemic, we assessed people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on public markets towards COVID-19. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 16 to 29 April 2020 among sellers and customers frequenting the food sections of ten public markets in three large cities (Kolwezi, Likasi, and Lubumbashi) and one small town (Lwambo) of the former Katanga province. We administered a questionnaire on knowledge (about clinical characteristics, transmission and prevention) and on attitudes in relation to COVID-19. We also observed prevailing practices (hand-washing and mask-wearing). Results: Of the 347 included participants (83% women, 83% sellers), most had low socioeconomic status and a low level of education. Only 30% of participants had correct knowledge of COVID-19. The majority of the respondents (88%) showed no confidence in the government’s ability to manage the upcoming pandemic crisis. Nearly all respondents (98%) were concerned about the associated increase in food insecurity. Preventive practices were rarely in place. Conclusion: For an effective implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, appropriate health education programs to improve knowledge and attitudes are warranted among the population frequenting public markets.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Kuhangana

Mbayo

Kitenge

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many African countries suffer from internal conflicts complicated by the emergence of some infectious diseases. One example is the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo which happened side by side the armed conflict and geopolitical volatility, which led to the displacement of one million people [ 8 , 9 ]. Libya is the second largest African country which shares its borders with the Mediterranean Sea and possesses huge natural resources.…”

Section: Outbreak Investigation Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

The epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Libya during the ongoing-armed conflict

Daw¹,

El-Bouzedi²,

Ahmed³

et al. 2020

Pan Afr Med J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

COVID-19 can have even more dire consequences in countries with ongoing armed conflict. Libya, the second largest African country, has been involved in a major conflict since 2011. This study analyzed the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya, examined the impact of the armed conflict in Libya on the spread of the pandemic, and proposes strategies for dealing with the pandemic during this conflict. We collected the available information on all COVID-19 cases in the different regions of Libya, covering the period from March 25 th to May 25 th 2020. The cumulative number of cases and the daily new cases are presented in a way to illustrate the patterns and trends of COVID-19, and the effect of the ongoing armed conflict was assessed regionally. A total of 698 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Libya within a period of three months. The number of cases varied from one region to another and was affected by the fighting. The largest number of cases were reported in the southern part of the country, which has been severely affected by the conflict in comparison to the eastern and western parts of the country. This study describes the epidemiological pattern of COVID-19 in Libya and how it has been affected by the ongoing-armed conflict. This conflict seems to have hindered access to populations and there by masked he true dimensions of the pandemic. Hence, efforts should be combined to combat these consequences.

show abstract

“…Additionally, physical distancing and enhanced hygiene are unlikely to be implementable in refugee camps, shantytowns or overcrowded settings [ [32] , [33] , [34] ]. However, several African countries have benefited from previous initiatives to address Ebola [ 35 , 36 ]. For instance, the surveillance structure and screening measures in airports developed for Ebola virus disease became pillars in the COVID-19 response in Uganda [ 35 ] and Ebola standard operating procedures were updated for COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo [ 36 ].…”

Section: Physical Distancing and Enhanced Hygienementioning

confidence: 99%

What could explain the late emergence of COVID-19 in Africa?

Lalaoui¹,

Bakour²,

Raoult³

et al. 2020

New Microbes and New Infections

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

At the end of November 2019, a novel coronavirus responsible for respiratory tract infections emerged in China. Despite drastic containment measures, this virus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread in Asia and Europe. The pandemic is ongoing with a particular hotspot in southern Europe and America in spring 2020. Many studies predicted an epidemic in Africa similar to that currently seen in Europe and the USA. However, reported data do not confirm these predictions. Several hypotheses that could explain the later emergence and spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in African countries are being discussed, including the lack of health-care infrastructure capable of clinically detecting and confirming COVID-19 cases, the implementation of social distancing and hygiene, international air traffic flows, the climate, the relatively young and rural population, the genetic polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, cross-immunity and the use of antimalarial drugs.

show abstract

Responding to the Challenge of the Dual COVID-19 and Ebola Epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo—Priorities for Achieving Control

Cited by 48 publications

References 9 publications

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Libya during the ongoing-armed conflict

What could explain the late emergence of COVID-19 in Africa?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About