Health Alerts

The 2017 World Malaria Report released by the WHO this week reveals that the burden of malaria is carried by the 15 countries that account for 80% of all cases: Nigeria (27%), DR of the Congo (10%), India (6%) and Mozambique (4%). The report also states that from 2014 to 2016 ‘the malaria case incidence rate remained unchanged globally and increased in all WHO regions except in the WHO European Region.’ A WHO news release calls for increased domestic and international funding now that progress has stalled following ‘unprecedented global success in malaria control.’

Four states have now confirmed yellow fever (YF) cases - Kwara, Kogi, Kano & Zamfara – but a further 10 have reported suspected infections, according to the most recent update provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Almost two-thirds of cases were 20 years of age and under. Testing of 133 suspected cases has so far revealed at least 30 positive results for YF. The NCDC this week announced a further 14 monkeypox cases and 3 new states producing infections (Imo, Katsina & Nasarawa); there have now been 56 confirmed infections. Read more