April 02, 2024

Africa scrutinized: The continent grapples with 44 disease outbreaks and 104 ongoing epidemic emergencies

Africa CDC has reported that since the beginning of the year, Africa has experienced 44 disease outbreaks, leading to 104 active epidemic emergencies across the continent.
The major diseases causing concern include cholera, measles, dengue fever, Lassa fever, meningitis, chikungunya, monkeypox, diphtheria, and the West Nile virus.
Cholera has been identified in 15 African countries, with a total of 8,440 confirmed cases and 45,939 suspected cases reported. Zambia has been severely affected, reporting 18,139 cases and 577 deaths, followed by Zimbabwe with 13,105 cases and 182 deaths.
Measles cases have been reported in several African countries, with a total of 1,977 confirmed cases and 885 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the most affected, reporting 22,285 suspected cases and 703 deaths.
Monkeypox has been reported in four African countries, with the DRC being the most affected, reporting 3,190 cases and 249 deaths.
Other diseases such as diphtheria, dengue fever, chikungunya, Lassa fever, and meningitis have also been recorded in various African countries, with Nigeria and Mali among the countries reporting significant cases and fatalities.