The Power of the Mpox Jab: Saving Lives in Kinshasa
In the heart of Pakadjuma, one of the most underserved districts in Kinshasa, a powerful story of resilience and public health leadership is unfolding. Following the declaration of a national mpox outbreak in December 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has worked tirelessly to protect its most vulnerable—health workers, sex workers, and now, […]
New Test Added to Recommended List of Molecular Diagnostic Tests for Mpox
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC) on March 12, 2025, added a new point -of -care test for mpox on its recommended list of Molecular Diagnostic Tests. This update captured in thefourth edition review, forms part of ongoing efforts to improve access to mpox diagnostics across the […]
Can Africa Get Better at Fighting Epidemics and Infodemics?
In 2014, as the Ebola outbreak swept through Sierra Leone, fear spread even faster than the virus itself. One dangerous rumor claimed that bathing in hot saltwater could prevent Ebola infection. Families, acting on this hearsay, bathed their children in scalding water—some suffering burns—believing they were protecting them from the deadly disease. The rumor took […]
New Leadership for Disease Surveillance Bureau in Central Africa
The Central Africa Regional Laboratory and Surveillance Network (RISLNET) has appointed new office bearers to champion better health security in the region. Member States appointed a new board, developed a clear roadmap, and adopted a new operating framework aligned with the strategic priorities of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) at a workshop in Libreville, Gabon, […]
Accountability Framework to Drive the Lusaka Agenda
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union Commission have developed an accountability framework for the implementation of the Lusaka Agenda and established a secretariat at Africa CDC to coordinate its implementation, a senior official announced during the Countdown to the G20 Summit in South Africa. “While the Lusaka Agenda is a global […]
Newly Launched African Epidemic Fund to Strengthen Health Security
The African Epidemic Fund is now operational, providing the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) with flexible funding to support countries across the continent in outbreak preparedness and response. This much-anticipated development is set to be a game-changer. No longer constrained by bureaucratic hurdles, Africa CDC now has the flexibility to rapidly deploy funds where they are […]
Traditional Healers Join Tanzania’s Marburg Response
In rural Tanzania, traditional healers are often the first point of care for people experiencing illness. From treating fevers and infections to addressing perceived spiritual afflictions, healers hold a central place in their communities. But what happens when symptoms of a deadly disease—like vomiting blood or severe diarrhea—are mistaken for witchcraft? For years, Meriam Mapinduzi Kagazi, a traditional healer […]
Fighting Multiple Outbreaks in Zambia’s Copperbelt
Rain lashes the ground in northern Zambia, but the mission presses on. It’s a Wednesday in January, and the showers that drench this region—bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and east—have done little to dampen the resolve of four epidemiologists. They are here on a 14-day mission, working urgently to contain simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, mpox, […]
Funding Options for Health Products Manufacturing in Africa Tabled
Development finance institutions (DFIs) are stepping up to accelerate Africa’s pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing ambitions, marking a new phase in the continent’s push for self-sufficiency in health products. Funding proposals were presented during the 2nd Vaccine and Health Products Manufacturing Forum, held in Cairo from February 4-6, 2025. At this gathering Africa CDC, Gavi, the […]
Cameroon Prepares to Launch National Strategy on Maternal Health
For many women in Cameroon, childbirth remains a significant health risk. Despite medical advancements, the country continues to have one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. In 2020, an estimated 438 women per 100,000 live births died from pregnancy-related complications, according to the World Bank’s Gender Data Portal. While maternal mortality declined slightly to 406 deaths per 100,000 […]