Addressing Africa's pandemic puzzle: Perspectives on COVID-19 transmission and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Musa, Hassan H.; Musa, Taha H.; Musa, Idriss H.; Musa, Ibrahim H.; Ranciaro, Alessia; Campbell, Michael C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 102(2021)
• Page Start: 483
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Africa -- SARS-CoV-2 cases -- COVID-19 susceptibility -- Public health interventions -- Pandemic; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Among SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in Africa, the proportion of severe COVID-19 appears to be low. This current epidemiological trend in Africa may be due to several factors ( e.g. lockdowns, young age structure, etc.). Nonetheless, it is still important to implement preventative measures, as government restrictions ease among other changes. Using regionally-specific public health strategies, African countries can minimize the onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Abstract: To date, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) has spread to almost every region of the world, infecting millions and resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Although it was predicted that Africa would suffer a massive loss of life due to this pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases has been relatively low across the continent. Researchers have speculated that several factors may be responsible for this outcome in Africa, including the extensive experience that countries have with infectious diseases and the young median age of their populations. However, it is still important for African countries to adopt aggressive and bold approaches against COVID-19, in case the nature of the pandemic changes. This short review will summarize the status of the outbreak in Africa and propose possible reasons for current trends, as well as discuss interventions aimed at preventing a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the future.