Variant Branching of the Common Femoral Artery in a Black Kenyan Population: Trifurcation is Common

Branching pattern of common femoral artery is important during artery catheterization, orthopaedic, plastic and general surgery in the proximal thigh. Frequency of variant branching shows ethnic variation but there are no data for black African populations. Since atherosclerotic diseases are increasing and femoral artery catheterization is rising, variation in  branching of common femoral artery was studied by dissection in a black Kenyan population. 208 femoral arteries in 104 limbs were studied. Bifurcation occurred in only 72.1% of cases. Trifurcation into superficial femoral, profunda femoris and lateral circumflex femoral arteries occurred in 27.9% of cases. Trifurcation of common femoral artery is a common variation in the black Kenyan population. Pre – operative ultrasonic evaluation of the femoral arterial system is recommended to minimize inadvertent arterial injury during catheterization or surgery

Health promotion: From malaria control to elimination

Here we reflect on the achievement of some of the diverse activities that have brought malaria under control, highlight key challenges and propose specific health promotion interventions required to move South Africa’s malaria programme from control to elimination

Maintaining focus on administering effective malaria treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

As September marks the start of the malaria season in South Africa (SA), it is essential that healthcare professionals consider both COVID19 and malaria when a patient who lives in or has recently travelled to a malaria area presents with acute febrile illness. Early diagnosis of malaria by either a rapid diagnostic test or microscopy enables prompt treatment with the effective antimalarial, artemether-lumefantrine, preventing progression to severe disease and death. Intravenous artesunate is the preferred treatment for severe malaria in both children and adults. Adding single low-dose primaquine to standard treatment is recommended in endemic areas to block onward transmission. Use of the highly effective artemisinin-based therapies should be limited to the treatment of confirmed malaria infections, as there is no clinical evidence that these antimalarials can prevent or treat COVID-19. Routine malaria case management services must be sustained, in spite of COVID-19, to treat malaria effectively and support SA’s malaria elimination efforts.http://www.samj.org.zadm2022Family MedicineSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)UP Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP CSMC)Veterinary Tropical Disease

Implementing malaria control in South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare delivery systems in a number of southern African countries. Despite this, it is imperative that malaria control and elimination activities continue, especially to reduce as far as possible the number and rate of hospitalisations caused by malaria. The implementation of enhanced malaria control/elimination activities in the context of COVID-19 requires measures to protect healthcare workers and the communities they serve. The aim of this review is therefore to present innovative ideas for the timely implementation of malaria control without increasing the risk of COVID-19 to healthcare workers and communities. Specific recommendations for parasite and vector surveillance, diagnosis, case management, mosquito vector control and community outreach and sensitisation are given.http://www.samj.org.zaam2021School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)Veterinary Tropical Disease

Scientific understanding of East African climate change from the HyCRISTAL project

Integrating Hydro-Climate Science into Policy Decisions for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Livelihoods in East Africa (HyCRISTAL) is a Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) project funded to deliver new understanding of East African climate change and its impacts, and to demonstrate use of climate change information in long-term decision-making in the region. Here, we briefly summarise key findings from HyCRISTAL so far on climate change, as well as key findings from the pan-African FCFA project “IMPALA” relevant to East Africa, both in the context of previous literature on the topic

Scientific understanding of East African climate change from the HyCRISTAL project

Integrating Hydro-Climate Science into Policy Decisions for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Livelihoods in East Africa (HyCRISTAL) is a Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) project funded to deliver new understanding of East African climate change and its impacts, and to demonstrate use of climate change information in long-term decision-making in the region. Here, we briefly summarise key findings from HyCRISTAL so far on climate change, as well as key findings from the pan-African FCFA project “IMPALA” relevant to East Africa, both in the context of previous literature on the topic

Nosocomial Outbreak of Novel Arenavirus Infection, Southern Africa

This case reinforces the need for strict screening of internationally transferred patients