Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) 1 September 2010 -- WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has proposed measures for tackling epidemics which are recurrent in Africa, posing continuing and serious health threats to people in the Region.

The Regional Director’s proposals revolve around three key actions that countries should take in checking the phenomenon: early detection, confirmation and characterization of epidemic and pandemic threats; actual prevention of epidemics; and improved epidemic preparedness and response capacity.

The proposals are being discussed at the 60th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa taking place from 30 August to 3 September 2010.

On the first action point, Dr Sambo suggests that countries conduct risk assessments to identify the population and geographical areas at risk of epidemic-prone diseases; establish or strengthen early warning systems and adopt a “one world” approach to prevention; and control of zoonotic diseases. The “one world, one health” approach calls for, among other things, the strengthening of collaboration between human and animal sectors to improve understanding of the human-animal interface of transmission of zoonoses.

On the second action point, Dr Sambo suggests that countries invest in environmental health, expand health promotion activities and undertake research to identify a range of factors which facilitate the emergence and transmission of epidemic-prone diseases.

Regarding the third pillar of action -- epidemic preparedness and response capacity - - Dr Sambo suggests the establishment of functional national multi-sectoral epidemic management committees to prepare for and coordinate responses to epidemics; training for health workers in the management of epidemic-prone diseases, and prevention and control of infections; improving rapid capacity by pre-positioning of needed stocks and essential supplies, and the organization of regular inter-country meetings to discuss improvement of rapid response capacity.

According to WHO, epidemics have significant impact on health and economic devel-opment in the African Region.

In 2007, for example, the cholera epidemic in Africa resulted in economic losses of $60 mil-lion. In 2009, all 46 Member States in the Region reported at least one disease epidemic: 33 countries reported Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2002, 20 reported cholera, seven reported meningitis and two reported typhoid.

Cómo Afrontar las Epidemias Recurrentes - Dr. Sambo

For more information, please contact:

Technical contact

Dr Jean-Baptiste Roungou, WHO/AFRO, Brazzaville; Tel. + 47 241 39154; E-mail: roungouj [at] afro.who.int

Media contact

Samuel T. Ajibola, WHO/AFRO, Brazzaville; Tel: (+242) 7700202; + 41 241 39378; E-mail: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int