- WHO Africa
- 2021: A year in review
2021: A year in review
2021 : A year in review
Africa is ending another challenging year. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread, fuelled by new variants, while vaccine deliveries to the continent stuttered before picking up, causing delays in vaccination drives amid intensified calls for equity. The region also faced a range of other major health emergencies, including cholera, Ebola, Marburg and meningitis. Thanks to the region’s expertise in health emergency response, the outbreaks were successfully brought under control. Despite the challenges, Africa made significant advances in health including spearheading the novel oral polio vaccine rollout, reinforcing COVID-19 genomic sequencing and vaccination drives as well as eliminating sleeping sickness in Cote d’Ivoire and trachoma in The Gambia. Below is a highlight of the key events that marked 2021.
14 January
Africa COVID-19 cases top 3 million, surpassing first wave peak
Two weeks into 2021, Africa sees a record number of COVID-19 cases, with a daily average of around 25 000 cases.
28 January
New COVID-19 variants fuel Africa’s second wave
Africa is in the throes of a second wave, with cases exceeding 3.5 million. The new Delta variant detected in six African countries.
January
14 January
Africa COVID-19 cases top 3 million, surpassing first wave peak
Two weeks into 2021, Africa sees a record number of COVID-19 cases, with a daily average of around 25 000 cases.
28 January
New COVID-19 variants fuel Africa’s second wave
Africa is in the throes of a second wave, with cases exceeding 3.5 million. The new Delta variant detected in six African countries.
4 February
Community initiative boosts cancer awareness in Nigeria
A community initiative helps drive the efforts to promote awareness, prevention and care in the fight against cervical cancer in Nigeria.
7 February
New Ebola case detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A new Ebola case is confirmed in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020.
14 February
New Ebola outbreak declared in Guinea
Health authorities in Guinea declare an outbreak of Ebola in south-eastern Guinea, marking the first time the disease is reported in the country since an outbreak ended in 2016.
4 February
Community initiative boosts cancer awareness in Nigeria
A community initiative helps drive the efforts to promote awareness, prevention and care in the fight against cervical cancer in Nigeria.
7 February
New Ebola case detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A new Ebola case is confirmed in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo where a previous outbreak was declared over in June 2020.
14 February
New Ebola outbreak declared in Guinea
Health authorities in Guinea declare an outbreak of Ebola in south-eastern Guinea, marking the first time the disease is reported in the country since an outbreak ended in 2016.
February
1 March
First COVAX-supplied COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Africa
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana become the first African countries to use vaccine doses provided by COVAX followed a day later by Angola.
25 March
Côte d'Ivoire eliminates sleeping sickness as a public health problem
Côte d'Ivoire becomes the second African country to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, as a public health problem.
30 March
Viral Facts Africa launches to combat health misinformation
WHO and partners introduce the first of its kind online forum to tackle health misinformation.
March
1 March
First COVAX-supplied COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Africa
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana become the first African countries to use vaccine doses provided by COVAX followed a day later by Angola.
25 March
Côte d'Ivoire eliminates sleeping sickness as a public health problem
Côte d'Ivoire becomes the second African country to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, as a public health problem.
30 March
Viral Facts Africa launches to combat health misinformation
WHO and partners introduce the first of its kind online forum to tackle health misinformation.
20 April
The Gambia eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The Gambia becomes the third African country to successfully eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.
22 April
Fifteen countries delay measles vaccination drive due to COVID-19
Fifteen African countries delayed measles immunization drives in 2020 as they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, posing a risk of major measles outbreaks.
27 April
The Democratic Republic of the Congo launches yellow fever vaccination drive
The Democratic Republic of the Congo launches a preventive yellow fever vaccination campaign targeting more than 16.3 million people.
20 April
The Gambia eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The Gambia becomes the third African country to successfully eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.
22 April
Fifteen countries delay measles vaccination drive due to COVID-19
Fifteen African countries delayed measles immunization drives in 2020 as they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, posing a risk of major measles outbreaks.
27 April
The Democratic Republic of the Congo launches yellow fever vaccination drive
The Democratic Republic of the Congo launches a preventive yellow fever vaccination campaign targeting more than 16.3 million people.
April
3 May
Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over
The country’s 12th Ebola outbreak declared over just three months after the first case was reported.
18 May
West Africa’s flagship centre boosts cancer fight
Guinea-based regional training centre on gynaecological cancers boosting efforts against cervical cancer in the sub-region.
30 May
WHO launches 28-day quit tobacco challenge
To mark the World No Tobacco Day, WHO kicks off a 28-day challenge to encourage and help people quit tobacco use.
3 May
Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over
The country’s 12th Ebola outbreak declared over just three months after the first case was reported.
18 May
West Africa’s flagship centre boosts cancer fight
Guinea-based regional training centre on gynaecological cancers boosting efforts against cervical cancer in the sub-region.
30 May
WHO launches 28-day quit tobacco challenge
To mark the World No Tobacco Day, WHO kicks off a 28-day challenge to encourage and help people quit tobacco use.
May
3 May
Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over
The country’s 12th Ebola outbreak declared over just three months after the first case was reported.
18 May
West Africa’s flagship centre boosts cancer fight
Guinea-based regional training centre on gynaecological cancers boosting efforts against cervical cancer in the sub-region.
30 May
WHO launches 28-day quit tobacco challenge
To mark the World No Tobacco Day, WHO kicks off a 28-day challenge to encourage and help people quit tobacco use.
11 June
WHO in key partnership to boost oral health in Africa
With few trained oral health professionals, WHO partners with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine to boost oral health care in the African region.
12 June
Ethiopia launches cholera vaccination in Tigray region
The preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign targets people aged one year or older in the north of the country to avert a potential outbreak.
19 June
Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over
The Ebola outbreak that emerged in mid-February is declared over.
21 June
Africa’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub
WHO and its COVAX partners, a South African consortium and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention set up Africa’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub.
11 June
WHO in key partnership to boost oral health in Africa
With few trained oral health professionals, WHO partners with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine to boost oral health care in the African region.
12 June
Ethiopia launches cholera vaccination in Tigray region
The preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign targets people aged one year or older in the north of the country to avert a potential outbreak.
19 June
Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over
The Ebola outbreak that emerged in mid-February is declared over.
21 June
Africa’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub
WHO and its COVAX partners, a South African consortium and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention set up Africa’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub.
June
7 July
Zimbabwe pioneers typhoid conjugate vaccine
Zimbabwe launches the first typhoid conjugate vaccination campaign in the African region and targets around 6 million children between nine months and 15 years.
8 July
Africa experiences its worst COVID-19 week yet
Africa marks its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak, while COVID-19 cases continue to climb.
29 July
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa ramp up
Following months of a near-halt, COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa begin to rapidly ramp up from multiple sources.
7 July
Zimbabwe pioneers typhoid conjugate vaccine
Zimbabwe launches the first typhoid conjugate vaccination campaign in the African region and targets around 6 million children between nine months and 15 years.
8 July
Africa experiences its worst COVID-19 week yet
Africa marks its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak, while COVID-19 cases continue to climb.
29 July
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa ramp up
Following months of a near-halt, COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa begin to rapidly ramp up from multiple sources.
July
7 July
Zimbabwe pioneers typhoid conjugate vaccine
Zimbabwe launches the first typhoid conjugate vaccination campaign in the African region and targets around 6 million children between nine months and 15 years.
8 July
Africa experiences its worst COVID-19 week yet
Africa marks its worst pandemic week ever, surpassing the second wave peak, while COVID-19 cases continue to climb.
29 July
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa ramp up
Following months of a near-halt, COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa begin to rapidly ramp up from multiple sources.
9 August
West Africa’s first-ever case of Marburg virus disease confirmed in Guinea
The first case of Marburg, a viral disease in the same family as Ebola, detected in Guinea.
24 August
Seventy-first WHO Regional Committee for Africa opens
African health ministers and government representatives gather for the annual meeting to set the health agenda for the region.
26 August
African countries commit to ending all forms of polio
The region’s health ministers commit to ending all remaining forms of polio and present a scorecard to track progress.
31 August
WHO and HelpAge International partner to combat ageism in Africa
The number of older people in the region is projected to triple from 54 million in 2020 to 163 million by 2050, with significant health, social and environmental implications.
9 August
West Africa’s first-ever case of Marburg virus disease confirmed in Guinea
The first case of Marburg, a viral disease in the same family as Ebola, detected in Guinea.
24 August
Seventy-first WHO Regional Committee for Africa opens
African health ministers and government representatives gather for the annual meeting to set the health agenda for the region.
26 August
African countries commit to ending all forms of polio
The region’s health ministers commit to ending all remaining forms of polio and present a scorecard to track progress.
31 August
WHO and HelpAge International partner to combat ageism in Africa
The number of older people in the region is projected to triple from 54 million in 2020 to 163 million by 2050, with significant health, social and environmental implications.
August
7 September
The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares meningitis outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared an outbreak of meningitis in the north-eastern Tshopo Province.
15 September
Guinea declares end of Marburg virus disease outbreak
With no new cases for the past 42 days, Guinea declares the end of the Marburg outbreak, five weeks after only one case was confirmed.
30 September
Fifteen African countries hit 10% COVID-19 vaccination goal
Only a third of the continent’s 54 nations have fully vaccinated 10% of their people against COVID-19.
September
7 September
The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares meningitis outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared an outbreak of meningitis in the north-eastern Tshopo Province.
15 September
Guinea declares end of Marburg virus disease outbreak
With no new cases for the past 42 days, Guinea declares the end of the Marburg outbreak, five weeks after only one case was confirmed.
30 September
Fifteen African countries hit 10% COVID-19 vaccination goal
Only a third of the continent’s 54 nations have fully vaccinated 10% of their people against COVID-19.
1 October
Ramping up genomic sequencing in Africa
WHO and partner organizations step up genomic sequencing in Africa, reinforcing a regional hub in South Africa as well as a 12-laboratory network to boost COVID-19 response in the continent.
8 October
New Ebola case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A new case is detected in the health zone where a previous outbreak was declared over in May. The Government starts vaccinations five days later.
10 October
Urgent call to address child, adolescent mental health in Africa
At least one in seven children in sub-Saharan Africa experiences significant psychological hardship.
14 October
WHO launches community COVID-19 screening initiative
WHO in Africa launches an initiative to enhance community screening for COVID-19 in eight countries, aiming to reach more than 7 million people with rapid diagnostic tests.
1 October
Ramping up genomic sequencing in Africa
WHO and partner organizations step up genomic sequencing in Africa, reinforcing a regional hub in South Africa as well as a 12-laboratory network to boost COVID-19 response in the continent.
8 October
New Ebola case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A new case is detected in the health zone where a previous outbreak was declared over in May. The Government starts vaccinations five days later.
10 October
Urgent call to address child, adolescent mental health in Africa
At least one in seven children in sub-Saharan Africa experiences significant psychological hardship.
14 October
WHO launches community COVID-19 screening initiative
WHO in Africa launches an initiative to enhance community screening for COVID-19 in eight countries, aiming to reach more than 7 million people with rapid diagnostic tests.
October
17 November
Call for stronger governance to fight antimicrobial resistance
The leaders of six regional organizations in Africa call for stronger governance to fight antimicrobial resistance.
25 November
Improving COVID-19 vaccination in health workers
To boost the efforts to curb COVID-19 in Africa, WHO urges for greater efforts to vaccinate health workers.
28 November
Botswana, South Africa detect Omicron variant
Botswana and South Africa and detect the Omicron variant. WHO calls for science-based control measures as countries impose travel bans due to concerns over Omicron.
November
17 November
Call for stronger governance to fight antimicrobial resistance
The leaders of six regional organizations in Africa call for stronger governance to fight antimicrobial resistance.
25 November
Improving COVID-19 vaccination in health workers
To boost the efforts to curb COVID-19 in Africa, WHO urges for greater efforts to vaccinate health workers.
28 November
Botswana, South Africa detect Omicron variant
Botswana and South Africa and detect the Omicron variant. WHO calls for science-based control measures as countries impose travel bans due to concerns over Omicron.
2 December
Botswana reaches key milestone in elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission
The country moves closer to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission by lowering the rate to under 5%.
6 December
Awareness campaign on sexually transmitted infections launched
WHO launches a three-week online campaign targeting 30 million African women aged 16 – 35 years to inform and educate on sexual health.
7 December
Africa cuts HIV infections, deaths but key targets still elusive (ICASA)
Africa reduces new infections and nearly halved AIDS-related deaths but ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is unlikely.
2 December
Botswana reaches key milestone in elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission
The country moves closer to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission by lowering the rate to under 5%.
6 December
Awareness campaign on sexually transmitted infections launched
WHO launches a three-week online campaign targeting 30 million African women aged 16 – 35 years to inform and educate on sexual health.
7 December
Africa cuts HIV infections, deaths but key targets still elusive (ICASA)
Africa reduces new infections and nearly halved AIDS-related deaths but ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is unlikely.
13 December
13th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over
Health authorities declare over the Ebola outbreak that erupted in the North Kivu Province. It was the country’s second outbreak in 2021 and the 13th recorded to date.