Progress Report on Implementation of Regional Committee Resolution AFR/RC59/R3 on Accelerated Malaria Control

Several resolutions have been adopted and commitments made to scale up malaria control towards elimination in the African Region. These include United Nations, African Union, regional economic communities, World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions. WHO AFRO provides support to countries, regional economic communities and the African Union in planning, implementing monitoring and evaluating their malaria control and elimination strategies. WHO also provides guidance and support for capacity building and resource mobilization towards reduction of the burden of malaria. As a result of scaling up evidence-based and high impact malaria interventions, the overall estimated incidence of malaria in the African Region fell by 33% from 2000 to 2010 and the upward trend of the disease was reversed. Furthermore, 12 countries in the African Region are on track to reduce malaria incidence by at least 50–75% by 2015. The action points of Resolution RC 59/R3 on Accelerated Malaria Control: Towards Elimination in the African Region remain relevant and should continue to guide countries in the context of their broader health, development and poverty reduction agenda.\u

Resurgence of Ebola virus in 2021 in Guinea suggests a new paradigm for outbreaks

These authors contributed equally: Alpha K. Keita, Fara R. Koundouno, Martin Faye, Ariane Düx, Julia Hinzmann.International audienc

Investing in preparedness for rapid detection and control of epidemics: analysis of health system reforms and their effect on 2021 Ebola virus disease epidemic response in Guinea

The 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemic devastated Guinea’s health system and constituted a public health emergency of international concern. Following the crisis, Guinea invested in the establishment of basic health system reforms and crucial legal instruments for strengthening national health security in line with the WHO’s recommendations for ensuring better preparedness for (and, therefore, a response to) health emergencies. The investments included the scaling up of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response; Joint External Evaluation of International Health Regulation capacities; National Action Plan for Health Security; Simulation Exercises; One Health platforms; creation of decentralised structures such as regional and prefectural Emergency Operation Centres; Risk assessment and hazard identification; Expanding human resources capacity; Early Warning Alert System and community preparedness. These investments were tested in the subsequent 2021 EVD outbreak and other epidemics. In this case, there was a timely declaration and response to the 2021 EVD epidemic, a lower-case burden and mortality rate, a shorter duration of the epidemic and a significant reduction in the cost of the response. Similarly, there was timely detection, response and containment of other epidemics including Lassa fever and Marburg virus disease. Findings suggest the utility of the preparedness activities for the early detection and efficient containment of outbreaks, which, therefore, underlines the need for all countries at risk of infectious disease epidemics to invest in similar reforms. Doing so promises to be not only cost-effective but also lifesaving.</p