A West African antimalarial drug coming soon: weekly health update

Public Health Initiatives and Challenges in Africa

In the health news in Africa, several public health initiatives and challenges are emerging. Gavi will provide 500,000 doses of MPOX vaccines for African countries facing the epidemic, and the DRC is preparing a vaccination campaign starting next October. Nigeria obtained, last month, WHO prequalification for a locally manufactured antimalarial drug. The countries that share the Lake Chad basin have unveiled a cross-border coordination plan to eradicate polio by 2025. Finally, cases of measles have been reported in Mozambique and Malawi.

Nigeria Gets WHO Prequalification for Antimalarial Drug

Last month, Swipha, a Nigerian manufacturer, received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for an antimalarial drug for the first time. The treatment, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (500/25 mg tablets), is essential for preventing malaria in infants and pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable populations.

.@USAIDNigeria visits Swiss Pharma Nigeria to applaud their WHO PQ certification for malaria prevention pills that can be taken by pregnant women. pic.twitter.com/nOAQiSIu3g

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) August 28, 2024

Supported by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and funded by Unitaid, this initiative marks a significant milestone in addressing regional drug production. Considering that in 2022, West and Central Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases, local manufacturing will help reduce reliance on imported medications.

Gavi to Supply 500,000 Doses of MPOX Vaccines to Africa

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has secured 500,000 doses of MPOX vaccine for Africa. The organization signed an agreement with Bavarian Nordic to procure these doses, which will target affected African countries. This initiative is funded through the First Response Fund of the Alliance and aims to respond swiftly to health crises, such as the recent MPOX outbreak declared a public health emergency in 2024.

We have signed an agreement with @BavarianNordic to rapidly secure 500,000 doses of #mpox vaccines for Africa for delivery in 2024. pic.twitter.com/XSbGewe5Mi

— Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) September 18, 2024

The MVA-BN vaccines, already approved by the WHO, are crucial for enhancing the African continent’s vaccination response against the MPOX virus.

WHO Prequalifies Vaccine Against MPOX

Recently, on September 13, the WHO prequalified the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine against MPOX. This development allows for rapid procurement by governments and international organizations, including Gavi and UNICEF.

The MVA-BN vaccine is intended for individuals over 18 years of age and is administered in two doses spaced four weeks apart. This prequalification is expected to bolster efforts in combating outbreaks across Africa, where over 25,000 MPOX cases have been reported this year, resulting in 723 deaths.

DRC: Vaccination Campaign Against MPOX in October

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is preparing to launch its vaccination campaign against MPOX in early October. With 265,000 doses of vaccines received from the European Union, the United States, and Gavi, the campaign targets the most affected provinces: Equateur, South Kivu, and Sankuru. Health workers and the most vulnerable individuals will be prioritized for vaccination.

Lake Chad: Cross-Border Coordination Plan to Eradicate Polio by 2025

In a collaborative effort, nations in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel region have launched a cross-border coordination plan to eradicate polio by 2025. This plan, unveiled on September 16, emphasizes synchronized vaccination campaigns and improved communication channels among countries to tackle the poliovirus spread.

With WHO oversight, a task force based in N’Djamena, Chad, will coordinate these initiatives. This effort is especially urgent as 134 cases of type 2-derived poliovirus have been reported in Central and West Africa this year, including in Cameroon and Nigeria, threatening the future of millions of children.

Nigeria: Cholera Outbreak in Adamawa

Nigeria is currently facing a cholera outbreak in Adamawa State, which has led to four fatalities and 36 hospitalizations as of September 15, 2024. Local health authorities attribute the outbreak to contaminated water sources due to heavy floods.

Local leaders, along with health workers and the Red Cross, are responding to this health crisis, urging the community to enhance hygiene practices, consume clean water, and wash fruits and vegetables properly to mitigate further spread.

Mozambique: Measles Detected in Cabo Delgado Province

Mozambique has reported a measles outbreak affecting four districts in the Cabo Delgado province, with a total of 340 cases and 68 hospitalizations recorded. The affected areas include Ancuabe, Chiúre, Namuno, and Montepuez. The inaccessibility of healthcare facilities poses significant challenges, particularly for children who are unvaccinated.

Today, @mohzambia has launched the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign with the support of UNICEF, WHO & partners.

Over 4million children aged 9-59 months in all 116 districts are to be vaccinated against measles from 23 -29 Sept. Let’s spread the word & save lives! pic.twitter.com/8EOm01mnzy

In response to the outbreak, a vaccination campaign targeting 1.7 million children aged 9 to 14 has already been launched, mobilizing over 1,000 teams to ensure optimal vaccination coverage in isolated communities.

Malawi: Measles Alert After Three Cases Confirmed in Mangochi

In Malawi, authorities have confirmed three cases of measles in the border district of Mangochi. Samples taken from children aged between 7 months and 7 years revealed the presence of the virus.

Health officials encourage parents to vaccinate their children to prevent a resurgence of this highly contagious disease, recalling the devastating outbreak of 2010, which saw over 134,000 cases and significant fatalities due to declining vaccination rates.