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This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region. This week’s articles cover:
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Humanitarian crisis in Mali
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Polio in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Diphtheria in Mauritania
For each of these events, a brief description, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation is provided.
A table is provided at the end of the bulletin with information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed.
Major issues and challenges include:
The “World Polio Day”, celebrated every 24 October, provides a platform for the international community to highlight global efforts and progress made in the fight against polio. Although certified as a “Polio-free country” since November 2015 regarding indigenous Wild Poliovirus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most affected country in the WHO African region for vaccine derived polioviruses outbreaks. Since 2017, circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses have been reported with the outbreak spreading to new health districts over time. Tailored public health interventions, including vaccination campaigns should be sustained to control the outbreak.
Mauritania is currently experiencing a suspected outbreak of Diphtheria in Bassiknou district, in Hodh el Chargui region, bordering Mali, with all reported cases from health facilities. The presence of Malian refugees’ camps in Bassiknou, with occasional increases in population size, underscores the necessity to enhance public health interventions, including vaccinations, and promptly address the population’s needs.