Outbreaks in Africa and Response

Date: Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Time: 14:30 – 16:00
Location: Benue/Plateau

Session Overview:
Uncontained infectious outbreaks can have devastating consequences on public health and durably affect the social, economic and political fabric of societies in low- and middle-income countries of Africa. Africa continues to report considerably high incidence and mortality rates for diseases such as cholera, meningitis, avian influenza, and viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Infectious agents causing outbreaks can be very different from each other and no outbreak is the same. Nonetheless, regardless of the aetiology or visibility of outbreaks, preparedness and response require integrated alert and response systems, clear governance and strong health system capacity for coordinated action. Equally important are technological innovations that can address current laboratory system gaps and reinforce the relevance, access, and cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic arsenal for the detection and monitoring of infectious agents causing outbreaks. Moreover, research conducted in-between epidemics can also contribute to improving interventions for the prevention and control of infectious outbreaks.

This session will aim at:

(1) Presenting the key requirements, challenges, and best practices of planning a response to epidemics at national and global level, and

(2) Discuss the contribution of research results and technological innovation in outbreak preparedness and response.

  • The Guinea National Strategy to Respond to Epidemics
    • Bouna Yattassaye, Ministry of Health, Guinea
  • The Cholera Roadmap
    • Linda Haj Omar, World Health Organization, Switzerland
  • The Contribution of Immunology Studies to Outbreak Response
    • Phyllis Kanki, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, United States
  • Mobile Medical Device in Support of Outbreak Response
    • Rudi Pauwels, Praesens Foundation, Belgium
  • Co-Conveners:
    • Philip Onyebujoh
      • Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Ethiopia
    • Ibrahima-Socé Fall
      • WHO/AFRO, Congo-Brazzaville
  • Speakers
    • Bouna Yattassaye
      • Ministry of Health, Guinea
    • Linda Haj Omar
      • World Health Organization, Switzerland
      • Bio
      • Photo
    • Phyllis Kanki
      • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, United States
    • Rudi Pauwels
      • Praesens Foundation, Belgium