(295) COVID-19 Epidemiology, Prophylaxis and Treatment in The Africa Region

Sunday, August 28, 2022

8:00 AM – 1:45 PM CEST

Location: Hall C

Publication Number: 1340

Presenting Author(s)

Maribel Salas, MD, DSc
– Exec Dir, Clinical Safety & Epidemiology, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, University o Pennsylvania, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States

Co-Author(s)

Ilse Truter, PhD, FISPE
– Prof, Nelson Mandela University, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Johanna Catharina Catharina Meyer, BPharm; MSc (Med); PhD
– Head of South African Vaccination & Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Johanita Burger, PhD
– Associate professor: Pharmacy Practice, North-West University, Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
Joseph O. Fadare, MD
– Professor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria
Laura Novelli Horne, MHS
– Independent Epidemiologist, Fairfield, CT, United States

Background: Africa identified its first COVID-19 case on 14 February 2020. Given challenges unique to Africa, Africa’s capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a topic of much debate.

Objectives: To provide an overview of the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in the African region, and progress made over the first two years of the pandemic.

Methods: A literature review was conducted on the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, focusing on epidemiology, COVID-19 vaccines (access, availability, and roll-out strategies), alternative medicine, medical supplies and treatment options. The timeframe was from February 2020 to January 2022. Sources included Science Direct, EBSCO Host, PubMed, various COVID-19 global and regional websites, and WHO, African CDC and NICD reports.

Results: As of February 2022 (i.e., two years into the pandemic) over 9.8 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in Africa, accounting for 3.3% of the cases reported globally. Of the total cases reported in Africa, the highest percentage was reported from South Africa (35%), followed by Morocco (10%) and Tunisia (7%). African countries face barriers in accessing COVID-19 testing, vaccines, treatments and medical supplies due to inequity, limited availability and high costs. Countries in Africa benefited through donations and support from agencies such as WHO, GAVI the vaccine alliance, the World Bank and the COVAX facility, in terms of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. However, average vaccination rates in Africa are approximately five times lower than the rest of the world, with an important variation across African countries.

Conclusions: According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated rapidly on the continent, pushing an estimated 40 million people into extreme poverty. Despite the challenges, positive developments include initiatives to manufacture vaccines on the continent and a renewed research interest into herbal and other treatment options unique to Africa. The continent’s capacity to manage COVID-19 cases has gradually improved, with the increased availability of trained healthcare workers, oxygen and other medical supplies, as well as laboratory facilities.
Progress has been made in Africa in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years into the pandemic, the WHO reported that, if current trends continue, the continent can control the pandemic in 2022. However, the WHO warned that continued monitoring is key, given potential SARS-Cov-2 virus mutations.