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AFRICA CDC /

Talking Points, Weekly Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa, Thursday 20th October 2022

 Weekly Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa

Thursday 20th October 2022

12:00 – 01:00 PM EAT

COVID-19 Epidemiology Update | OVERVIEW

  • As of today, October 20th, African Union Member States are reporting the following:
  • Total cases: Over 12 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in Africa, (12,085,971). This accounts for 2% of total cases reported globally.
  • Total recoveries: Over 11.4 million people have recovered (11,458,409). This accounts for 95% of the total cases reported in Africa.
  • Total deaths: Over 255 thousand deaths have been reported (255,912). This results ina cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.1%,and accounts for 4.1% of deaths reported globally.
  • The following five countries account for 60% of all cases reported in Africa.
    • South Africa: 33% of total cases (4,024,129)
    • Morocco: 10% of total cases (1,265,265)
    • Tunisia: 9% of total cases (1,146,044)
    • Egypt: 4% of total cases (515,667)
    • Libya: 4% of total cases (507,024)

COVID-19 Epidemiology Update | ONE-WEEK TREND ANALYSIS

  • The following are trends for epidemiological week 41 (10 – 16 October 2022), compared to the previous epidemiological week 40 (3 – 9 October 2022):
  • New cases: A total of 5,185 new cases were reported in Africa. This is a 4% decrease from the previous week.
  • The highest proportion of new cases is from the Southern region (47%). The other regions are as follows:
  • Western region (21%)
  • Eastern region (14%)
  • Northern region (9%)
  • Central region (9%)
  • The following 5 countries are reporting the highest number of new cases:
  • Cameroon (1,525)
  • Mauritius (783)
  • Senegal (585)
  • Burundi (341)
  • Djibouti (196)
  • New deaths: A total of 63 new deaths were reported in Africa. This is a 200%[1] increase from the previous week.

COVID-19 Epidemiology Update | FOUR-WEEK TREND ANALYSIS

  • The following are trends over the past 4 epidemiological weeks, (19 September – 16 October 2022):
  • New cases: There has been an overall 4% average decrease in new cases reported in Africa over the last 4 weeks. Increases in Northern, southern and Western Regions, with decrease in Eastern Region while there is no change in the Central Region, comparative the week before.
  • New deaths: There has been an overall 33% average increase in new deaths reported in Africa each week. Increases in Northern, Southern and Western Regions, with decrease in Eastern and no change in Central.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

  • With regards to the current progress of vaccinations across the continent – as 18 October 2022, African Union Member States are reporting the following:
  • Total vaccine doses supplied: 1.006 Billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been procured by 54 Member States.
  • Total vaccine doses administered: 721 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, which corresponds to 71.6% of the total supply available in Africa.
  • Coverage: 23.40% of the total population (2022) has been fully vaccinated (primary series) on the continent.

            2.86% coverage for booster doses

 TREND ANALYSIS – COVID19 VACCINATION

  • The following are trends for epidemiological week 41 (10 – 16 October 2022), compared to the previous epidemiological week 40 (3 – 9 October 2022):
  • The following countries have indicated a ≥ 25% increase in vaccination rate
    • Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe (14 MSs).
    • Contributing factors include: Ongoing mass vaccination campaigns (Zambia, DRC, Cameroon, Malawi), increased RCCE activities, Targeted vaccination campaigns (Liberia), Batch reporting (Ghana), General improvement in vaccination strategy (Senegal)
  • The following countries have indicated a ≤ -25% decrease in vaccination rate
    • Angola, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Chad, Tanzania (6 MSs).
    • Contributing factors include: Slump following intensified campaigns (Tanzania), Biweekly reporting schedule
  • Challenges
    • Despite recent increase in number of persons vaccinated, members of the public continue to be engaged in socio-economic activities and not making time to be vaccinated.
    • National competing priorities including response to outbreaks – Polio, Yellow Fever, Measles, Cholera
  • Recommendations include
    • Integrate COVID-19 vaccinations with other interventions
    • Improve data management processes
    • Improving access through mass/ door-to-door campaigns
    • Target the younger population during mass campaigns
    • Tailor RCCE activities to local context

More details are provided on our dashboard (https://africacdc.org/covid-19-vaccination/)

UPDATES SLL

Overview:

  • Of the 49 Member States engaged with the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) Programme, 11 Member States have begun implementation. These include Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. This week no additional countries have started implementing.
  • The following eleven Member States are advanced in plans to begin implementation: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Djibouti, Gabon, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Data from the field shows that vaccination uptake is increasing with the mass vaccination and door-to-door campaigns.

UPDATE ON OTHER THREATS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN

List of ongoing outbreaks

Major Events

  1. Ebola in Uganda
  2. Multi-country monkeypox outbreak
  3. Rift Valley fever in Mauritania
  4. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever in Mauritania
  5. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever in Uganda
  6. Flooding in Nigeria

Other Events

  • Multi-country Lassa fever outbreak
  • Multi-country measles outbreak
  • Multi-country cholera outbreak
  • Yellow fever in Kenya
  • Hepatitis E in South Sudan

ONGOING OUTBREAKS

 Outbreak1.    Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda
 UpdateSince the last brief six new confirmed cases and five new deaths of EVD have been reported from Uganda This is a 40% decrease in the number of new confirmed cases compared to the last briefing. Cumulatively, 60 confirmed cases with 24 confirmed deaths (CFR: 40%) were reported from five districts. Of the total cases, 17% (10) are health workers, including four deaths. On the other hand, 24 recoveries have been reported.In addition, 1,882 contacts were monitored and 747 (40%) have completed 21 days follow up.
 MS affected1 MS
 ResponseThe MoH: Holds daily national and district task force meetingsDeveloped a national EVD preparedness response planConducted a national-level risk assessment to map out the district most at riskCase management at the ETU at Mubende regional referral hospitalContinues to conduct active case search, case investigation, contact tracingRisk communication and EVD awareness drives
 Africa CDC supportThe Africa CDC has activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to response modeTrained over 500 surveillance officers and village health teams on:Event-based surveillance, contact tracing and case investigationTrained health workers on infection prevention and controlTrained 60 health promoters in high risk districts on risk communication and community engagementTrained 7 AU MS on Ebola laboratory diagnosisProcured 7 rental vehicles to support the responseAfrica CDC in collaboration with the World Health Organization office for the African region and the Uganda MoH has organized an emergency regional ministerial meeting on preparedness and response to Ebola virus diseases. The meeting was held on Wednesday, 12 October 2022.
Outbreak2. Multi-country monkeypox outbreak
UpdateGlobal update As of 18 October 2022 (5:00 pm EDT), 73,782 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 190 deaths were reported from 109 countries/territories globally. The countries reporting the majority of cases are mainly in Europe and America.
StatisticsSituation on the continent   Since the last brief, 152 new confirmed cases and 17 deaths were reported from Four (4) AU MS: Cameroon: One new confirmed caseDRC: 19 confirmed cases and 17 deathsGhana: One confirmed caseNigeria: 131 confirmed case   This is a greater than 100% increase in the number of new confirmed cases compared to the numbers reported during the last brief.   Cumulatively, 6,844 including 869 confirmed cases and 5,975 suspected cases with 173 deaths (CFR: 2.5%) have been reported from 13 AU MS this year.
MS affected13 AU MS reporting cases this year: Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Republic, DRC, Egypt, Ghana, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa and Sudan.
Africa CDC supportUpdates on  Africa CDC Support Last week, Africa CDC convened MS within the Northern region to share best practices on the detection and management of Monkeypox in the region. Africa CDC is working with MS and partners to ship laboratory kits, strengthen disease surveillance and morbilize vaccines for the continent.
Outbreak   3. Rift Valley fever in Mauritania
UpdateSince the last report, 39 new cases including eight new confirmed and 31 suspected; and one new death (CFR: 2.5%) of Rift Valley fever (RVF) were reported from two regions. This is a 14% increase in the number of new confirmed cases and 80% decrease in the number of new deaths compared to the last report. Cumulatively, 191 cases (47 confirmed; 144 suspected) and 23 deaths (CFR: 12%) were reported from eight regions
MS affected1 MS
ResponseThe MoH continues to enhance surveillance, contact tracing and community sensitization in the affected areas.
Africa CDC responseThe EBS team is monitoring the event through the Northern RCC.
Outbreak 4. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Mauritania 
UpdateSince the last report, the MoH reported one new confirmed case and 47 new suspected cases with two new deaths of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) from two regions.   This is a 100% increase in the number of new deaths reported compared to the last update.   Cumulatively, 99 cases (3 confirmed and 96 suspected) with two deaths (CFR: 66.6%) were reported from three regions in Mauritania. 
ResponseThe MoH continues to enhance surveillance. 
Africa CDC responseAfrica CDC continues to monitor this event through the Northern RCC. 
 Outbreak5. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Uganda
 UpdateSince the last report, MoH reported 11 cases (1 confirmed, 4 probable and 6 suspected cases) of CCHF from Kabeiramaido district.   There is no change in the number of new confirmed cases reported compared to the last update.   Cumulatively, 15 cases including 2 confirmed, 5 probable and 8 suspected with three deaths (CFR: 21%) were reported from two districts.
 ResponseThe MoH activated the district task force to coordinate the response. Additionally, the MoH continues to conduct enhanced surveillance and to sensitize communities in the affected communities.
 Africa CDCAfrica CDC continues to monitor this event through the Eastern RCC.
Outbreak6. Floods in Nigeria
UpdateOn 16 October 2022, the Nigerian Government reported sustained flooding in 27 of the 37 states of the country affecting over 2million persons and injuring 2,407 and causing 603 deaths.   Additionally, over 82,000 houses were completely damaged, and 108,392 farmlands were destroyed. The number of roads and other critical infrastructure including healthcare centers damaged were over 300,000. It is projected that the flooding situation is likely to increase the incidences of Malaria and Cholera in the affected states.
ResponseThe national flood emergency preparedness and response plan has been developed and implementation is ongoing.
Africa CDC responseAfrica CDC is working through the western RCC to identify potential areas for support.
Outbreak   7. Multi-country Lassa fever outbreak
UpdateSince the last brief, 2 new confirmed and 3 newsuspected cases  with one new death (CFR: 20%) were reported from Liberia Cumulatively, 1,005 confirmed and 6,975 suspected cases with 207 deaths (CFR: 2.6 %) were reported from seven AU MS this year.
MS affected7 AU MS: Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone and South Africa
ResponseLiberia: MoH continues to conduct active case search in the affected health district
Africa CDC supportAfrica CDC continues to monitor the event through the RCCs.
Outbreak  8. Multi-country measles outbreak
Update (Since the beginning of 2022)Since the last brief, 809 cases including 254 new confirmed and 555 suspected cases and 25 new deaths (CFR: 3%) were reported from three MS. This is a 65% decrease in the number of new cases compared to the last brief. Cumulatively, 30,514 confirmed, 155,858 suspected cases and 2,284 deaths (CFR: 1.2%) have been reported from 24 AU MS this year.
MS affected24 MS
ResponseEthiopia: The MoH continues to conduct reactive vaccination campaigns in affected and high-risk districts. Additionally public health actions including surveillance, the integration of nutritional screening, and case management are ongoing. Kenya: The MoH continues to conduct active case search in the affected counties. Liberia: The MoH continues to conduct active case search in the affected regions. South Africa: the Limpo provincial health department continues to conduct measles case finding and vaccination targeting children between 6 months and 15 years.
Africa CDC supportAfrica CDC continues to monitor the event through the RCCs.
Outbreak  9. Multi-country cholera outbreak
UpdateSince the last brief, 7,218 cases including 649confirmed and 6,569 suspected with 136 deaths (CFR: 1.9%) were reported from 6 MS (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Somalia). This is a more than 100% increase in the number of new cases compared to last brief. Cumulatively, 53,062 cases including 7,350 confirmed and 45,712 suspected cases with 879 deaths (CFR: 1.6 %) have been reported from 14 AU MS this year.
MS affected14 AU MS: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
ResponseThe Ministries of health continues to strengthen surveillance activities in high-risk regions
Africa CDC supportAfrica CDC is monitoring this event through the Southern Africa RCC.
Outbreak 10. Yellow Fever in Kenya
UpdateSince the last update, sixteen new suspected cases and no new deaths of yellow fever were reported from Kenya.   Cumulatively, 139 cases including 3 confirmed and 136 suspected with 11 deaths (CFR: 7.9%) were reported from 12 counties.
ResponseThe Kenya MoH concluded a 10-day yellow fever vaccination campaign in Isiolo county and three sub-counties of Garissa county on 01 August 2022. The campaign targeted persons aged 9 months to 60 years. Plans for a mop-up campaign in these two sub-counties are underway.
Africa CDC responseAfrica CDC continues to monitor this event through the Eastern RCC.
Outbreak11. Hepatitis E in South Sudan
UpdateSince the last report, 104 new confirmed cases and no new deaths of hepatitis E were reported from the Bentiu Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp.   Cumulatively, 3,046 cases including 104 confirmed and 2,942 suspected with 25 deaths (CFR: 7.9%) were reported from South Sudan.
ResponseThe MoH continues to conduct active case search, sample collection and case management.
Africa CDC responseAfrica CDC continues to monitor this event through the Eastern RCC.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

  1. The call for Bingwas for Eastern Africa region to be opened by tomorrow Friday 21st October 2022, in the morning. All eligible young people are encouraged to visit our Africa CDC website and social media platforms and apply for this opportunity. www.africacdc.org
  2. CPHIA-2022 registration is open by Monday 24th October 2022. Visit WWW.CHPIA2022.COM and register.

[1] Due to batched reporting of 52 deaths from South Africa.

20 October 2022

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Public Health Information System

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