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Mpox Testing Strategy - November 2024

Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) CC

Mpox is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox. Mpox was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. The first human case was recorde...d in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox and since then the infection has been reported in a number of African countries. Mpox can spread in humans through close contact, usually skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, with an infected person or animal, as well as with materials contaminated with the virus such as clothing, beddings and towels, and respiratory droplets in prolonged face to face contact. People remain infectious from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and healed. The virus may spread from infected animals through handling infected meat or through bites or scratches. Diagnosis is confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of material from a lesion for the virus’s DNA. Two separate clades of the mpox virus are currently circulating in Africa: Clade I, which includes subclades Ia and Ib, and Clade II, comprising subclades IIa and IIb. Clade Ia and Clade Ib have been associated with ongoing human-to-human transmission and are presently responsible for outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while Clade Ib is also contributing to outbreaks in Burundi and other countries. In 2022‒2023 mpox caused a global outbreak in over 110 countries, most of which had no previous history of the disease, primarily driven by human-to-human transmission of clade II through sexual contact. In just over a year, over 90,000 cases and 150 deaths were reported to the WHO. For the second time since 2022, mpox has been declared a global health emergency as the virus spreads rapidly across the African continent. On 13 Aug 2024, Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.7 This declaration empowered the Africa CDC to lead and coordinate responses to the mpox outbreak across affected African countries. On August 14, 2024, the WHO declared the resurgence of mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) emphasizing the need for coordinated international response. As of August 2024, Mpox has expanded beyond its traditional endemic regions, with new cases reported in countries including Sweden, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Sweden has confirmed its first case of Clade 1 variant, which has been rapidly spreading in Africa, particularly in DRC. The emergence of this new variant raises concerns about its potential for higher lethality and transmission rates outside Africa. more

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The role of community health workers in influencing social connectedness using the household model: a qualitative case study from Malawi

Ndambo, M.K.; Munyaneza, F.; Aron, M. et al. Global Health Action (2022) CC

Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in facilitating social connectedness, building trust, decrease stigma, and link communities to essential healthcare and social support services. More studies are needed to understand the factors facilitating these interactions among CHWs, clients, an... more

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The availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines in Malawi: A cross-sectional study

Khuluza, F.; Haefele-Abah, C. PLoS ONE (2019) CC

The Malawian government recently introduced cost-covering consultation fees for self-referral patients in tertiary public hospitals. Previously, patients received medicines free of charge in government-owned health facilities, but must pay elsewhere. Before the government implements a payment policy... more

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Cardiovascular Diseases in Charts

Dattani, S.; Samborska, V.; Ritchie, H. et al. the Global Change Data Lab (2023) CC

The article "Cardiovascular Diseases" on Our World in Data provides an in-depth analysis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally. It examines CVD trends, such as the decline in mortality rates in high-income countries due to improved healthcare and lifestyle changes, wh... more

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Prevention and management of diabetic foot problems

World Health Organization WHO (2024) C_WHO

People with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk for foot ulcerations as a result of poorly controlled blood glucose which may lead to gangrene. These patients are at a high risk for lower limb amputations, higher healthcare costs, and lower quality of life. This course aims to cover the preve... more

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established an office in Malawi in 2001

Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC (2024) CC2

For over 23 years, CDC has collaborated in Malawi with local and international partners to strengthen health systems. The office works to prevent, detect and respond to diseases. Efforts include building healthcare workforce capacity, strengthening laboratory systems, and increasing the capacity of ... more

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Asthma in South African adolescents: a time trend and risk factor analysis over two decades

Baard, C.B.; Franckling-Smith, Z.; Munro, J. et al. ERJ Open Research (2021) CC

The article "Asthma in South African adolescents: a time trend and risk factor analysis over two decades" investigates the prevalence and risk factors for asthma in Cape Town adolescents from 2002 to 2017. The study finds that while the overall prevalence of asthma remained similar, the severity of ... more

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Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Systematic Literature Review

Iheanacho, I.; Zhang, S.; King, D.; et al. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2022) CC2

The article "Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Systematic Literature Review" examines the financial impact associated with moderate-to-very severe COPD. The review analyzes studies published between 2006 and 2016 that discuss healthcare resource utilization (HRU), di... more

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Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lungs Disease

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) (2024) CC2

The GOLD website is dedicated to providing comprehensive information on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It offers resources and guidelines for healthcare professionals and public health authorities to improve the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD worldwide. The site include... more

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Living Better with COPD Fact Sheet

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2022) CC2

The document provides information on managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It emphasizes the importance of recognizing early symptoms such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. The guide offers practical advice, including quitting smoking, avoiding lung irritant... more

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Occupational risk factors and exposure–response relationships for airway disease among health workers exposed to cleaning agents in tertiary hospitals

Mwanga, H.; Baatjies, R.; Jeebhay, M.F. BMJ (2023) CC2

This study investigated occupational risk factors and exposure–response relationships for airway disease among health workers (HWs) exposed to cleaning agents in two tertiary hospitals in South Africa and Tanzania. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between asthma or respiratory... more

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Malawi Country Operational Plan 2021 Strategic Direction Summary May 19, 2021

U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (2021) CC2

PEPFAR Malawi’s Country Operational Plan (COP) 2021 reflects a culmination of strong interagency collaboration between the PEPFAR Malawi team, Government of Malawi (GoM), and civil society organizations (CSOs) to mitigate the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and sustain progress achieved over the l... more

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Lung health in Africa: challenges and opportunities in the context of COVID-19

Ozho, O.B.; Mbatchou Ngahane, B.H.; Zar, H.J.; et al. American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology (2021) CC2

The article discusses the challenges and opportunities for lung health in Africa in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the strain on healthcare systems, the increase in chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, and the limited resources for managing these conditions. The pa... more

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COPD Foundation Educational Materials

COPD Foundation COPD Foundation (2024) CC2

The COPD Foundation's website provides a range of educational resources and downloadable materials aimed at helping patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals learn more about COPD, including information on prevention, treatment, and disease management.

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Introducing the IPCRG

International Primary Care - Respiratory Group International Primary Care - Respiratory Group (2024) CC2

The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) is a clinically-led charitable company that works locally in primary care and collaborates globally to improve respiratory health. Our vision is that, through universal access to the right care, everyone can breathe and feel well.

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The burden of asthma in children: an Asian perspective

Singh, M. Science Direct (2005) CC2

A worldwide increase in the prevalence of asthma has been reported in recent years. With an increase in prevalence comes an increased burden of disease in terms of morbidity, mortality and compromised quality of life. The economic burden in terms of utilisation of healthcare resources and limitation... more

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The global burden of asthma: executive summary of the GINA Dissemination Committee report

Masoli, M.; Fabian, D.; Holt, S.; Beasley, R. European Journal of allergy and clinical immunology: Volume59, Issue5 May 2004 Pages 469-478 (2004) CC2

It is estimated that as many as 300 million people of all ages, and all ethnic backgrounds, suffer from asthma and the burden of this disease to governments, health care systems, families, and patients is increasing worldwide. In 1989 the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) program was initiated in ... more

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Cardiovascular Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa Compared to High-Income Countries: An Epidemiological Perspective

Yuyun, M.F.; Sliwa, K.; Kengne, A.P. et al. Global Heart (2020) CC

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the second common cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounting for about 35% of all deaths, after a composite of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases. Despite prior perception of low NCDs mortality rates, current evidence suggests t... more

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World Heart Federation Cholesterol Roadmap 2022

Ray, K.K.; Ference, B.A.; Séverin, T. et al. World Heart Federation (2022) CC

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) including myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease continue to be major causes of premature death, disability and healthcare expenditure globally. Preventing the accumulation of cholesterol-containing atherogenic lipopr... more

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Resource Effective Strategies to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Disease

Schwalm, J.; McKee, M.; Huffman, M. et al. Circulation (2016) CC

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global deaths, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The primary and secondary prevention of CVD is suboptimal throughout the world, but the evidence-practice gaps are much more pronounced in LMIC. Barriers at the... more