Public Health Surveillance Challenges in Africa

July 1, 2023

Challenges Posed by Zoonotic Diseases

Introduction: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a well-trained and supported public health workforce capable of detecting, managing, and predicting disease outbreaks. This article examines the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases.

Challenge 1: Detecting and Responding to Initial Outbreaks:

Before zoonotic diseases cross over to humans, they often cause animal outbreaks. Detecting and responding to these initial clusters of cases are crucial to preventing the spread to humans. Well-trained field epidemiologists who operate in multi-disease surveillance and response systems play a vital role in identifying suspected cases and collecting safe specimens for diagnosis. Countries that have invested in developing a competent public health workforce have a greater capacity to handle outbreaks effectively.

Challenge 2: Managing Outbreaks of Communicable Diseases:

Managing outbreaks requires a multi-sectoral, multi-skilled effort. Core activities include epidemiology and surveillance, case management and infection control, laboratory testing, community engagement, and environmental assessments. Effective outbreak management relies on competent field epidemiologists who possess diverse background training. Coordination and clear communication with the public, media, and authorities are critical in building trust and mobilizing resources.

Challenge 3: Predicting Future Outbreaks:

Zoonotic disease outbreaks can be mitigated through collaboration between the veterinary and public health sectors. Combining surveillance data from both sectors can help identify diseases before they cross the animal-human "border." Joint training programs for veterinarians, physicians, nurses, and laboratory scientists in field epidemiology and laboratory techniques facilitate prediction-based surveillance.

The Relevance of the COVID-19 Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies the urgent need to address the challenges discussed in this article. The rapid global spread of the virus, the overwhelming impact on public health and economies, and the importance of a well-prepared public health workforce underscore the significance of investing in training and supporting competent personnel. Countries can enhance their ability to detect, manage, and predict both communicable and non-communicable disease threats by implementing multi-disease surveillance and response systems and fostering collaboration between sectors.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasizes the need to invest in a competent and well-supported public health workforce capable of detecting, managing, and predicting disease outbreaks. By addressing these challenges, countries can enhance their preparedness and response capacity, ultimately saving lives and reducing the economic burden of future outbreaks. Taking action now to develop and support public health systems will prove more cost-effective in the long run.