Foreign News
Two-Dose Strategy and Targeted Interventions Drive Mpox Campaign
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Mpox vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began on October 4, with Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya emphasising the importance of two doses. While a single dose provides over 50% protection, Dr Kaseya stated: “We don’t want to compromise the health of our people.”
The vaccination campaign was launched in Goma, the eastern city hardest hit by the outbreak. Meanwhile, Mpox cases continue to rise, with Ghana becoming the 16th country to report a case in the current outbreak. Across the affected countries, significant gaps remain in surveillance and testing, with testing and case positivity rates at 47% and 43%, respectively.
“Some countries report suspected cases, but without testing, we can’t confirm them or classify outbreaks,” said Dr Kaseya. Contract tracing is another challenge: “We aim to trace 90% of contacts but have only reached around 4%, reflecting the performance of our surveillance systems.”
Speaking during his weekly media briefing on Mpox, Dr Kaseya also revealed that the fight against Mpox has surpassed and almost doubled its $600m funding goal envisaged in the continental response plan. He stressed the importance of targeted interventions for specific vulnerable groups to curb the spread of Mpox effectively.
As the most affected country, the DRC was prioritising confirmed cases and at-risk groups, including healthcare workers, sex workers, children in high-risk areas, displaced populations, prisoners, truck drivers, and people with HIV. Truck drivers are considered high-risk due to their frequent cross-border movement. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced border surveillance, particularly along the Northern Corridor, which spans Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern DRC, Tanzania and Zambia.
Dr Kaseya stressed that insufficient testing should not prevent action. “We cannot rely solely on confirmed cases for decision-making and response,” he remarked. Factors affecting testing, such as sample collection, laboratory capacity, and equipment quality, remain challenging, but Africa CDC is working to improve the situation.
The disproportionate impact of Mpox on children under 15 in the DRC, worsened by high malnutrition rates, was also highlighted. Dr Kaseya noted that the virus’s mutations complicate the situation, creating what he described as “many outbreaks in one”. He emphasised the urgency of controlling the outbreak to prevent further mutations. Additionally, he noted early indications of mother-to-child transmission but acknowledged that more research is needed. Just research is an integral aspect of the response to Mpox whose epidemiology is poorly understood.
Foreign News
NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY
NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson on his induction into the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), describing it as “an honour well- deserved”.
In a statement by Abdur- Rahman Balogun, Director of Media,Public Relations and Protocols, stated that Dr. Elenitoba- Johnson has yet achieved another ground breaking milestone in the Medical world globally.
Dabiri-Erewa described the honour as a demonstration of his outstanding professional achievement and unwavering commitment to service in the medical field.
She applauded his constant research and studies on ways of ameliorating the needs of his patients which has earned him this great honour, the highest honour in the field of health and medicine.
The NiDCOM boss urged Elenitoba- Johnson not to be relentless in the discharge of his duty and to keep making Nigeria proud as hard work pays, an example being the honour he just got.
She also prayed to God for protection and directions as he joins the League of Medical Professionals doing great things globally.
Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, an international leader in the fields of Hematopathology and Molecular Genomic Pathology as well as a translational researcher also held leadership positions at the University of Utah, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.
National Academy of Medicine (NAM) works alongside with the National Academy of sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.
NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their services in National Academies activities.
Foreign News
NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE
NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated Gbenga Ogunjimi on the honour bestowed on Nigerian Center, a center he established in the District of Columbia.
In a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that October 1st has been declared as Nigerian American Day in Washington, D C .
The declaration was announced by the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bessett on behalf of D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser in celebration of the enormous work the center has provided to immigrants in D.C and uplifting the contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the District as well as nationwide Dabiri-Erewa applauded Gbenga on this milestones, describing it as the first of its kind in the District and a great honour to Nigeria.She encouraged him to keep up the good work while urging other Disporans to key into this feat and be the best in whatever they are doing as hard work, determination and dedication leads to greater success.
According to Ogunjimi, the Nigerian Center provides a variety of services like walk-in immigration support,IRS free tax counseling, pathway to Prosperity micri-loan program and Nigerian language training classes in collaboration with African Ancestry inc.
Foreign News
Africa CDC Strengthens Laboratory Capacity for Mpox and Other Outbreaks in Burundi
and referral processes while ensuring biosafety and biosecurity practices. These outcomes are crucial for an effective response to mpox outbreaks and generally contribute to strengthening sample referral and biosafety and biosecurity measures in Burundi.
Africa CDC has also strengthened Burundi’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak by donating critical equipment and materials.
The donation includes an Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system and reagents, a high-performance computer server, mpox qPCR testing kits, and other essential consumables.
In addition, the INSP team has been trained on molecular testing, sequencing, and interpretation of results.
“These resources provided, and skills built, will enhance the country’s molecular testing and sequencing capabilities, enabling accurate and timely detection and characterization of mpox cases and boosting the national testing and pathogen detection capacity,” said Dr. Yenew Kebede.
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