Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic : A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness

Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels. Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence. Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issueswhich must be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing. Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. A multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technology, communication, business, and industry sectors, as well as local communities, must work collaboratively to assist countries in order to win this fight

Impacts of transboundary coal air pollution from Balkan region to European public health

Abstract Background Western Balkan region holds coal power plants that are old, inefficient and substandard. In 2016, the region’s 16 plants emitted more SO2 than the entire 250 European coal power plants. In this study we modelled the transboundary nature of air pollution affecting this region and EU. Methods We calculated health impacts and costs from Western Balkan coal plants by the following steps: (1) Identify coal power plants in the Western Balkans in 2016; (2) Source 2016 coal power plant emissions data; (3) Model the pollutant exposure resulting from the emissions from Western Balkan coal power plants; (4) Calculate health impacts associated with modelled pollutant exposures; (5) Attribute the health impacts to individual coal power plants; (6) Calculate the cost of the health impacts. Results The modeling shows that every year Western Balkans’ plants cause 3,000 premature deaths, 8,000 cases of bronchitis in children, and other chronic illnesses costing both health systems and economies a total of € 6.1-11.5 billion. The EU bears the majority of health cost, more than half of these health costs relate to the EU (€ 3.1 to 5.8 billion), a third (32%) to Western Balkan countries (€ 1.9 to 3.6 billion) and around 17% in other countries. Moreover, Bulgaria and Croatia’s health budgets are the most heavily impacted. Costs needed to cover the health impacts of Western Balkan coal pollution amount to € 0.3-0.7 billion. For Bulgaria this is the same as 10%-18% of the country’s total health expenditure in 2016. For Croatia (costs of € 0.2-0.4 billion), it amounts to 8%-14% of total health expenditure in 2016. Discussion These results imply an coal phase out to protect public health. Strong enforcement of the existing pollution control measures are needed. Political processes such as EU accession of Balkan countries may be a door to prioritise pollution control and air quality, in particular by excluding companies planning new coal power capacity from EU financing. </jats:sec

Mercury atmospheric emission, deposition and isotopic fingerprinting from major coal-fired power plants in Australia:Insights from palaeo-environmental analysis from sediment cores

Despite Australia's high reliance on coal for electricity generation, no study has addressed the extent to which mercury (Hg) deposition has increased since the commissioning of coal-fired power plants. We present stratigraphic data from lake sediments in the Hunter Valley (New South Wales) and Latrobe Valley (Victoria), where a significant proportion of Australia's electricity is generated via coal combustion. Mercury deposition in lake sediments increased in the 1970s with the commissioning of coal-fired power plants, by a factor of 2.9-times in sediments of Lake Glenbawn (Hunter Valley) and 14-times in Traralgon Reservoir (Latrobe Valley). Sediments deposited after the commissioning of power plants have distinct Hg isotope compositions, similar to those of combusted coals. Mercury emission, estimated using an atmospheric model (CALPUFF), was higher in the Latrobe Valley than in the Hunter Valley. This is a result of higher Hg concentrations in lignite coal, lax regulation and older pollution-control technologies adopted by coal-fired power plants in the Latrobe Valley. Near-source deposition of Hg in Australia is significantly higher than North America and Europe, where better emission controls (e.g. wet flue gas desulfurization) have been in effect for decades. The challenge for Australia in years to come will be to ratify the Minamata Convention and develop better regulation policies to reduce Hg emissions