0
0
January 19, 2025
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a stark warning over the escalating public health crises across the continent, with more than 200 disease outbreaks reported in 2024. This represents a sharp increase from the previous year, signaling a growing burden on the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
In a virtual briefing held Thursday, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya provided alarming statistics on the rising number of disease outbreaks, revealing that the continent recorded a total of 213 public health events in 2024, up from 166 in 2023. He stressed the need for immediate action to address these health emergencies.
“We see that the number of disease outbreaks in 2024 was more than in 2023. In 2024, we had 213 events, while in 2023, we had 166. We hope that this year will be different from the last year,” Kaseya said, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Cholera, measles, dengue, mpox, and diphtheria were identified as the five most pressing diseases in Africa for 2024, with cholera continuing to pose the greatest threat. The continent saw a devastating 204,115 cases of cholera, resulting in 3,747 deaths last year. Measles followed closely, with 234,320 cases and 3,220 fatalities.
Mpox, which emerged as a significant threat in recent years, ranked third in terms of fatalities, with 77,888 cases and 1,321 deaths reported in 21 African countries in 2024 alone. The surge in mpox cases highlights the continent’s vulnerability to health emergencies of an international scale.
Kaseya attributed the rise in disease outbreaks to a combination of factors, including climate change, rapid urbanization, and weakened healthcare systems. He stressed that these challenges require urgent and coordinated efforts from both local governments and international partners.
“The pressing need for Africa to address public health emergencies more effectively cannot be overstated,” Kaseya emphasized. “The compounded effects of climate change, urbanization, and other contributing factors make it critical to strengthen our public health response.”
The Africa CDC chief called for immediate investment in laboratory infrastructure, public health facilities, and local vaccine and medical equipment production to improve Africa’s ability to respond to such outbreaks. He also highlighted the need to enhance genomic sequencing for priority diseases and strengthen national public health institutes.
“Our ability to track and respond to outbreaks is vital,” Kaseya said. “We are monitoring what is happening in Africa in real time, and we know exactly what is happening, when, and where, so that we can provide timely support to our member states.”
The Africa CDC’s warning comes at a time when global health authorities are grappling with the implications of both ongoing and emerging health crises, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath. As Africa faces these mounting challenges, Kaseya’s call for increased investment in public health resources and infrastructure has never been more urgent.
