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Africa CDC Urges Continent to Boost Capabilities Against Hantavirus Risks

The Africa CDC has highlighted urgent gaps in continental capabilities to detect and respond to hantavirus threats, with about 40% of countries lacking functional surveillance systems. Officials Yap Boum II and Tolbert Nyenswah stressed the need for enhanced early case recognition and infection control measures. The agency is working to boost national and regional laboratory capacities for swift diagnosis. Meanwhile, a new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in eastern DRC, with hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths reported.

Key Points: Africa CDC Calls for Enhanced Hantavirus Preparedness

  • Africa CDC identifies critical gaps in hantavirus surveillance across the continent
  • 40% of countries lack early detection systems
  • Enhanced lab capacity and 45-day monitoring protocol urged
  • New Ebola outbreak confirmed in eastern DRC with hundreds of suspected cases
2 min read

Africa CDC urges enhancing continental capabilities to tackle hantavirus risks

Africa CDC warns 40% of countries lack surveillance systems for hantavirus, urging enhanced detection and response capabilities.

"about 40 per cent of countries currently lack functional surveillance systems capable of early detection of suspected hantavirus cases - Yap Boum II"

Addis Ababa, May 15

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday emphasised the urgent need to enhance continental capabilities, as many African countries lack the necessary capacity to detect and respond to potential hantavirus threats.

Yap Boum II, head of the emergency preparedness and response division at the Africa CDC, told an online media briefing that the agency's recent assessment of the continent's preparedness to hantavirus has revealed critical gaps in surveillance capabilities across many African countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Highlighting that about 40 per cent of countries currently lack functional surveillance systems capable of early detection of suspected hantavirus cases, he said a significant portion of the continent is vulnerable to potential undetected outbreaks.

Tolbert Nyenswah, director of pandemic prevention, preparedness and response at the Africa CDC, underlined the significance of enhancing early case recognition and promoting timely implementation of the 45-day monitoring protocol for exposed or at-risk individuals.

He urged targeted and rigorous infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of possible transmission.

According to the Africa CDC, it is currently working to enhance the capacity of national and regional laboratories to swiftly diagnose and confirm hantavirus infections, with a focus on employing molecular methods.

Hantaviruses are carried by rodents and can cause severe disease in humans. People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva.

Meanwhile, earlier on Friday, health authorities confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Hundreds of suspected cases have been reported in Ituri Province, according to the Africa CDC.

Preliminary tests by the National Institute of Biomedical Research detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples, Africa CDC said in a statement, citing consultations with the DRC's Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute.

About 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been recorded, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara, with four deaths among confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The 45-day monitoring protocol for exposed individuals sounds challenging but necessary. Hantavirus from rodent waste is nasty. It's courageous that Africa CDC is being transparent about gaps. But I wonder if they have enough funds—India's experience shows that building lab capacity takes massive investment. Are Western partners stepping up?
D
Deepak U
So many diseases coming from animals—hantavirus from rodents, Ebola from bats. We need to strengthen One Health approach linking animal, human, and environmental health. Africa CDC is doing a good job but they need regional cooperation. India can share its surveillance experience from Nipah and COVID.
R
Ravi K
Sad to see 65 deaths already in DRC from Ebola, and now hantavirus threat too. Africa needs more support for basic healthcare infrastructure, not just crisis response. The reported 40% lacking surveillance is scary. Hope the molecular methods for diagnosis get deployed quickly.
R
Ramesh W
Another outbreak in Congo? These regions are suffering endlessly. The Africa CDC's assessment is welcome but I feel the international community needs to do more than just talk. Look at how quickly mRNA vaccines were developed for COVID—why can't we have similar platforms for neglected diseases? This is a global security issue, not just African.
S
Swati Y
It's good that Africa CDC is being proactive by assessing gaps now, before a major outbreak. Better to have a system ready than scramble later. The 45-day monitoring makes sense given the incubation period. I hope they also address rodent control—simple public health measures can prevent many cases.

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