AFRO-NETS> SARS & Disease surveillance, outbreaks and emerging diseases in Africa

[John Kiwanuka Ssemakula <jssemakula@medilinks.org>]

SARS & Disease surveillance, outbreaks and emerging diseases in Africa
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- Not always Out of Africa

Dear All

"Disease surveillance, outbreaks and emerging diseases in Africa - 
Not always Out of Africa. For the past few weeks the world's atten-
tion has been riveted by the emergence of yet another new disease to 
threaten mankind. But this time it is not from out of Africa. SARS, 
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a flu-like disease, originated in 
China and spread like wildfire to the rest of the world in a matter 
of weeks. Cases are being reported from every continent and African 
health officials are on notice for the first case of SARS. As of 
writing this article 205 people have died worldwide, and 4000 cases 
have been reported. The epidemic is taking a serious toll on travel, 
tourism, and finance in South East Asia..."

This article examines the state of play of disease surveillance ef-
forts in Africa. Are African nations equipped to deal with an out-
break of SARS? Another epidemic disease would be a disaster for Af-
rica. What are the possibilities for this and other diseases? These 
are not just academic questions. It now appears SARS is more infec-
tious and virulent than was first thought. The WHO has just doubled 
its estimated of death rate from SARS to 15% from its previous level. 
What are the implications for Africa? "Though the strategy of the WHO 
to battle SARS is having a positive effect, scientists believe that 
the disease, should it spread to countries with poor health systems 
like Nigeria and other sub Saharan African countries, could kill mil-
lions".

This article can be accessed at:
http://www.medilinks.org/Features/Articles/april2003/dxsemrginfafr.asp

Comments are welcome.

--
Dr John Kiwanuka Ssemakula (MD, MPH)
CEO Medilinks
420, E54 Street
Suite 29C
New York, 10022, USA
Tel: +1-917-292-5968
Fax: +1-212-688-0223
mailto:jssemakula@medilinks.org
http://medilinks.org
--
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