Impact of poor disease surveillance system on COVID-19 response in africa: Time to rethink and rebuilt

Abstract

Infectious disease outbreaks have long posed a public health threat, especially in Africa, where the incidence of infectious outbreaks has risen exponentially. Although, Africa has witnessed several outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola virus disease and other epidemic-prone diseases, little attention has been given towards strengthening the health surveillance systems. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered the region's already due to inefficient and ineffective health surveillance systems. However, the impact posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems in the region has been catastrophic, it has also stressed the importance of rethinking and focusing on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we examine how Africa's poor disease surveillance systems affected the responses and strategies aimed at COVID-19 containment. To ensure early disease outbreak identification and prompt public health interventions in Africa, the current disease surveillance and response mechanisms must be strengthened.

Devastating dengue outbreak amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: an alarming situation

“…As a result, while the whole global burden of the illness is unknown, the observed rise only gets us closer to a more precise assessment of the full extent of the burden [ 1 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a huge strain on global healthcare and management systems [ 8 , 9 ]. It is extremely alarming that numerous other infectious illnesses have been on the increase concurrently with the COVID-19 epidemic, causing havoc on the world healthcare system [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Marburg virus disease outbreak amidst COVID-19 in the Republic of Guinea: A point of contention for the fragile health system?

“… 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 For instance in Guinea, the pandemic increased the difficulty in accessing health services and has also negatively affected surveillance, testing, treatment for other infectious diseases. 15 , 16 The health systems were overburdened – with increased hospital workload thus influencing patient care. This could deter or delay the treatment and management of patients with MVD and quick linkage to MVD care could be delayed during the pandemic since hospitals are focusing mostly on COVID-19 patients.…”

“… 21 Disease surveillance is not strong in the affected countries, and many health centers are already plagued by logistical challenges. 15 , 21 , 22 …”

Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on viral hepatitis in Africa: Challenges and way forward

“…Africa's healthcare workforce and testing capabilities are insufficient to integrate the COVID‐19 pandemic and other viral infection surveillance. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 Particularly, in low‐and middle‐income countries, the inability of researchers and health authorities to predict the evolution of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the long‐term has escalated a chain reaction of crises in the healthcare system. 14 , 15 Moreover, Individuals with chronic liver disease have been added to those at risk with increased danger for critical expression of COVID‐19 as recommended by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.…”