This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region. This week’s articles cover:
-
Diphtheria in Guinea
-
Cholera in Uganda
-
Mpox in Africa
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 Kankan region of Guinea has been battling an outbreak of diphtheria since early July 2023, and new cases continue to be reported. Immunization coverage in the region is low in a context of vulnerability due to mining, which causes large population influxes and movements. In addition, the local health system is fragile and has limited human and material resources to respond to this outbreak. Other ongoing outbreaks in the region, notably whooping cough, polio, and rabies, are straining the limited resources available.
-
Uganda is currently responding to a cholera outbreak after detection of Vibrio Cholerae Ogawa 01 in cases in Kayunga and Namayingo Districts. The outbreak is occurring amidst poor sanitary conditions, limited infection prevention and control facilities, and inadequate essential medical supplies. In addition, the affected community in Namayingo District is located on an Island with poor access to health care services.