Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Preventing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Nigeria

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, ranks as the third leading cause of death worldwide, trailing only behind heart disease and strokes. The condition impedes breathing by damaging the airways and/or lungs. It may cause chronic coughing, mucus and wheezing and permanently disable the affected individual. In affluent countries, one can easily avoid it by self-care, especially by avoiding smoking.

On the other hand, in developing countries, air pollution and the living environment are much more significant factors. Interestingly, estimates suggest that 50% of COPD cases in Sub-Saharan Africa occur in individuals who have never smoked and it often remains undiagnosed. It is a silent killer of so much of the population simply because they are impoverished.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Nigeria

The lifestyle of the people in Nigeria likely causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the country. Whether or not people smoke tobacco, most African kitchens suffer from poor ventilation due to biomass smoke. Biomass fuel includes anything from a living thing, mostly wood or animal waste. Fires, often fueled by more biomass or kerosene, are also constant for heating or light. Although women are less likely to smoke than men, they have the same amount of COPD cases because they spend far more time inside the house.

COPD prevalence in Nigeria is attributable to factors beyond solely toxic air. Malnourishment at birth is a high-risk factor, potentially leading to weaker or misshapen lungs. Unborn and newborn infants, sharing environmental exposures with their mothers, may also encounter lung defects. Moreover, in economically disadvantaged African communities, high rates of HIV and tuberculosis persist. These diseases, if causing lung damage, contribute to the risk factors for COPD.

Prevention

COPD remains incurable, with survival strategies centered around removing oneself from potential dangers, such as tobacco use, engaging in regular exercise and maintaining optimal lung health. Ideally, addressing this concealed epidemic involves preventive measures to stop it before it begins.

However, the World Health Organization has implemented multiple steps to protect Africans from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The first is the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, approved by 180 countries, including Nigeria, which aims to help protect people from tobacco smoke. The second is the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), a network aimed solely at eliminating respiratory illnesses like COPD and asthma in low- and medium-income countries.

Various other proposals have been suggested to prevent illnesses caused by indoor air pollution. One approach involves the construction of homes equipped with chimneys or flues, allowing smoke to exit the living spaces efficiently. Creating infrastructure to provide homes with electricity or gas for cooking could eliminate the use of biomass fuel and its associated smoke.

Enhancing housing conditions goes beyond improving living standards; it has the potential to not only create better living environments but also to save lives.

– Varsha Pai
Photo: Pixabay

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Chagas Disease: Unveiling the Silent Struggle

Chagas DiseaseChagas Disease (CD) is a tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In 2022, The Bolivian Chagas Network reported that approximately 7 million people are infected with CD and 25 million are at risk of infection. More than one million of these cases stemmed from Bolivia, the country that retained the highest rate of CD in the world.

The Impact of Chagas Disease

There is no vaccine against CD, but if detected in the initial acute phase it can be treated.

The disease mostly spreads as a result of vector-borne transmission. These blood-sucking bugs, called triatomine, bite an infected animal or person and pass the parasites on to humans via feces. These bugs also tend to bite people’s faces, and are therefore referred to as “Kissing Bugs.”

CD can also be transmitted via blood and organ donation as also congenital transmission, from a pregnant woman to her baby. Contraction of CD in the initial phase presents as mild flu-like symptoms and in the later stages can lead to cardiac, digestive and neurological alterations. It has been detected in 21 countries in Latin America and is endemic to this region. In November 2023, The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund reported, that in comparison to all other parasitic diseases in the Americas, CD carried the largest burden of disability-adjusted life years.

The Bolivian Chagas Platform

In 2009, The Bolivian Chagas Platform was formed in a bid to control CD. It consisted of both local and international forces with a strong emphasis placed on promoting trans-nationality to allow research to be shared. Groups involved in The Bolivian Chagas Platform included ISGlobal, CEADES, AECID and the Bolivian National Chagas Program.

Originally piloted in three of Bolivia’s most affected regions, Cochabamba, Tarija and Chuquisaca, a specific strategy was implemented in seven centers to begin with. The four focus areas were: providing care, training health personnel, performing research and engaging with the community.

Due to the success of the pilot program, the operation was scaled up and extended to a further 52 centers.

The results of the Platform have been positive and have improved the care for CD at both national and international levels.

Detecting Chagas Disease

The existence of the Bolivian Chagas Platform centers has facilitated the screening of more patients, resulting in the detection of a greater number of CD cases. CD is often referred to as a “silent disease” as infected patients present either with no symptoms at all or with ambiguous symptoms resulting in misdiagnosis. If treatment is not given quickly, the damage becomes irreversible, and the patient cannot be cured. Therefore, timely detection of CD to ensure early treatment is crucial to save a person’s life. Furthermore, early detection of the CD helps in its control because transmission is prevented.

Increasing Research and Resources Available

ISGlobal reports that, at present, there are two drugs available for treating CD, nifurtimox and benznidazole. Research studies on this disease have been scarce due to limited resources and funding. As a result, the majority of people infected with CD do not have access to treatment.

The Bolivian Chagas Network reported that of the 57,871 people who tested positive for CD, 32.1% were able to be treated as a result of this platform. Furthermore, 67% of health care workers were given CD training, more resources were provided and detailed research was undertaken.

Whilst the two drugs used to treat CD are highly effective, they were developed over 50 years ago, therefore greater updated research is imperative.

Minimizing the Stigma and Promoting Awareness

Despite 10,000 people dying from Chagas Disease every year, it remains largely unheard of by the general public.

The UN has reported the negative consequences of the stigma associated with CD. Largely people view CD as confined to rural and poorer areas, but this is not the case. ISGlobal reported that in Spain, only an estimated 30% of people with CD are diagnosed and treated.

– Heidi Helen Horgan
Photo: Flickr

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The Bolivian Chagas Platform

The Bolivian Chagas PlatformChagas disease, a parasitic disease commonly found in Latin America, has become a global public health concern. Affecting more than six million people annually, Chagas is one of 17 illnesses acknowledged as neglected tropical diseases. Also known as American trypanosomiasis, Chagas is primarily transmitted to humans through the feces of triatomine bugs, also known as “kissing bugs,” when they bite and feed on blood. The disease can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplantation, contaminated, uncooked food and from mother to child during pregnancy.

Chagas claims more than 12,000 lives each year and is the leading cause of heart disease in the Americas. However, the disease is treatable. While most Chagas patients are infected as children, symptoms often only manifest in adulthood, by which time it is often too late. The majority of cases occur in poor communities in Central and South America, where 99% remain ultimately untreated due to inadequate global Chagas surveillance. Today, Bolivia has the highest worldwide prevalence of Chagas disease.

Bolivia’s Efforts at Disease Control

Although the Bolivian Ministry of Health declared the prevention and treatment of Chagas to be of national interest, lack of resources, management, implementation and regulation of solutions prevented the introduction of treatment until the early 2000s.

In 2009, in conjunction with the CEADES Foundation and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Bolivia established the Platform for the Integral Care of Patients with Chagas Disease. The platform aimed to provide comprehensive care for individuals with chronic infection. It was based on four pillars:

  1. providing care
  2. training health personnel
  3. performing research
  4. engaging with the community

The Bolivian Chagas Platform developed a two-stage plan aimed at addressing the situation. First, the platform implemented a top-down test program to introduce a health care plan using protocols to work closely with local health authorities in seven local centers. From 2009 to 2014, the program was recognized as a successful approach for effectively handling Chagas disease in three of Bolivia’s most affected cities.

In the second phase of the Bolivian Chagas platform, starting in 2015, the model was expanded to 52 primary health care centers. This expansion was achieved through a decentralized and horizontally scaled-up approach. At the end of the second phase in 2018, more than 181,000 people at risk for Chagas received testing, resulting in a 32% increase in diagnoses and considerably improved patient care. Additionally, 67% of health care workers in the intervention area received training specific to the Chagas Platform guidelines. Chagas screening has now been implemented for regulatory health care visits.

Current Situation and the Way Forward

Although Bolivia ranks as the leading country in the global prevalence of Chagas, it fell from first to fourth position in terms of the number of people infected by the disease as of 2015, after the program’s first stage. The global impact of Chagas disease has demonstrated a consistent decrease in the number of cases.

While most are still concentrated in Latin America, the rising numbers in North America and Europe underscore the need to screen high-risk populations and increase awareness of this overlooked tropical disease. Chagas persists today as an endemic disease in 21 countries. With adequate resources, quality of diagnosis, proper treatment and primary health care integration, the effects of the Bolivian Chagas Platform can ensure long-term success.

– Bella Simokaitis
Photo: Flickr

Harvard and Roche Discover Antibiotic for Drug-Resistant Disease

Drug-Resistant DiseaseAs the new year arrived, so did an antibiotic: Zosurabalpin. Founded by Roche, tested by Havard, praised by scientists broadly, the antibiotic has the potential to provide relief against one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) critical priority pathogens. Diseases caused by such pathogens infect over one million people annually, North Africa clocking close to 90% resistance rates. Zosurabalpin is only in early testing stages, but the novel antibiotic is already demonstrating the potential to provide significant aid in North Africa by fighting drug-resistant disease on the global stage.

Northern Africa

North Africa has the lowest rates of poverty across Africa, achieving, in 2019, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 3% in poverty. Post-COVID, during the years 2021-2023, the region has maintained a steady GDP growth at close to 4.0%, 4.5% and 4.2% respectively. However, these figures mask the continued struggle against poverty that North Africa endures.

Of the seven North African countries, Sudan has the highest poverty rates with an estimated 35% living in conditions of extreme poverty. That figure is projected to rise as we head towards 2025, and more than half of the 42 million people living in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco account for close to half of North Africa’s population but only 25% of the region’s GDP. In addition, dwindling economies and lack of job opportunities continue to remain areas of concern. The prospect of extreme poverty threatens to rear its head, going by current data.

Health Care in North Africa

The geography of North Africa significantly influences its health care infrastructure, or lack thereof. Being the least connected to other regions of the continent makes it difficult for North Africa to collaborate and benefit from any progressive medical approaches that have served other regions well.

Of the North African countries, Egypt possesses an advanced ability to manufacture vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. The $450 million World Bank investment into providing ambitious health reforms and services for all in Morocco is a significant step toward enhancing health care initiatives in the North African region.

The Pitfalls of Health Care in North Africa

Despite concerted efforts, what persists throughout hospitals in North Africa is suboptimal antibiotic stewardship and sparse surveillance data. These factors make critical priority WHO diseases such as Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) become a major concern.

CRAB diseases are up to 90% resistant to treatment in North Africa. Besides manifesting as pneumonia and killing hundreds of thousands across Africa each year, CRAB diseases mainly attack the respiratory system, and respiratory infections constitute close to 10% of all deaths in North Africa.

Zosurabalpin and Its Potential

The novel antibiotic, Zosurabalpin, offers some hope against these worrying numbers. Founded by Swiss pharma company, Roche, this new antibiotic hopes to shift medical discourse globally and have an immense impact in North Africa.

In early trials it has shown to be an effective treatment against the very diseases that have high rates of mortality in North Africa, namely, the highly resistant strains of CRAB manifesting as pneumonia and sepsis.

Since its announcement on January 3, 2024, Zosurabalpin has gained mass support from the global scientific community, and Harvard has become involved in the testing stages too.

Zosurabalpin in 2024

Due to the lengthy period and the many stages of antibiotic testing, it is a given that the rolling out of the novel antibiotic is a multi-year goal.

However, the medical properties of Zosurabalpin cannot be ignored. Not only could the antibiotic bring with it a fresh approach to hospital protocol, but also a relief to drug-resistant disease in North Africa. Both bring hope for the future of mortality rates on the African continent to be one of steady decline.

– Joseph Wray
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Fights Infectious Diseases in Nepal

infectious diseases in NepalNepal is the latest country to receive support from the U.S. as part of efforts to improve the health care technical capacities of 50 countries worldwide by 2025. The December 11, 2023, agreement concerns the control of infectious diseases in the Himalayan nation. A transdisciplinary method to achieve this goal has been created. After experiencing the pandemic and infectious diseases exclusive to the region, people in Nepal can approach their health care in 2024 with reassurance due to the new U.S. measure. 

Infectious Diseases in Nepal in 2023

COVID-19 has infected more than one million Nepalis as of 2023. And though the rate of cases has steadily subsided since September 2023, the one million figure maintains that COVID-19 has impacted over 30% of the population in Nepal. As September brought about the decline of COVID-19 in Nepal, it witnessed an increase in the rates of dengue – the infectious disease spread by mosquitoes that results in headache, fever, rashes and nausea. The tropical disease, most effective in the summer months, had alarmingly high rates in as early as April 2023. As of October 2023, there had been more than a quarter of a million reported cases of dengue, with close to 1,500 associated deaths.

Facing Diseases

In 2019, Nepal’s health infrastructure found itself unprepared to confront the severity of challenges posed by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Recognizing the urgent need for support, the U.K. helped thousands by establishing critical response units between 2019 and 2021. The U.S. also stepped in with a significant contribution during the pandemic years, providing a total of $50.9 million in aid. While helping the battle against COVID-19, the support offered by the U.K. and the U.S. apply only a temporary band-aid to a weak infrastructure for health in Nepal.

Nepalese Health Care System

Beneath the band-aid is Nepal’s continued struggle to adapt to the shift from a centralized health care system to a federalized model. The change, which was initiated in 2015, continues to highlight widespread confusion in Nepalese society regarding health care. Additionally, there are issues of poor coordination and, most importantly, a shortage of skilled health care staff in Nepal.

Nepal has only 0.67 doctors for every 1000 inhabitants, a figure that falls significantly below the standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The shortage of skilled workers is exacerbated by the fact that access to healthcare for over 35% of households in Nepal requires a journey of more than 30 minutes. Furthermore, the nation grapples with disparities in access to health care based on rural-urban, male-female and racial divisions.

USAID: Nepal

To address Nepal’s inadequate health infrastructure, myriad inequalities and the 15% figure used to symbolize the amount of Nepalis living in poverty, the U.S. has provided nearly $650 million in assistance to the country. This foreign aid has economic benefits for the U.S., as the nation has become a top trade partner with Nepal.

The Global Health Security Program

December 11, 2023, saw a consolidation of the relationship between the U.S. and Nepal, thanks to the collaboration between USAID and the Nepalese government launching a new global health security program. With support from WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the merger emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interdependence of ecosystems before attempting to tackle zoonotic infectious diseases in Nepal.

The U.S. has pledged close to $7 million over the next three years to boost the health care system in Nepal. This support aims to reduce infectious diseases in the nation and improve emergency response management, enhance biosafety and facilitate upgrades to national laboratory systems both directly and indirectly. The involvement of the U.S. is expected to enhance Nepal’s ability to combat serious pandemic threats and mitigate infectious diseases exclusive to the region. This effort will allow countless Nepalis to approach 2024 with a newfound assurance in their nation’s health care system.

– Joseph Wray
Photo: Flickr

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Stroke in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Stroke in Low- and Middle-Income CountriesThe World Stroke Organization reported in 2022 that more than 85% of stroke-related deaths worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries. Strokes also happen at a lower average age in these countries than in high-income countries, often during peak working years. Strokes can cause death and disability and create an economic burden in low- and middle-income countries. The occurrence of strokes in impoverished people in developing countries can severely impact them and worsen their lack of essential resources. A stroke is an abrupt death of brain cells caused by a shortage of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Key factors contribute to the burden of stroke in low- and middle-income countries, and global organizations implement strategies to improve outcomes. 

Hypertension in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Low- and middle-income countries have a high incidence of hypertension, or high blood pressure, which leads to stroke. The poorest people in developing countries often experience hypertension. The link between poverty and hypertension is counter to the common assumption that people in poverty have low body weight and high physical activity levels. Still, other environmental and lifestyle factors can cause hypertension in poor populations. Hypertension damages blood vessels and can cause them to leak or clog, increasing the chances of a stroke. High blood pressure in developing countries is linked to various factors, including environmental conditions and diets high in salt and low in fruits and vegetables. 

There is less awareness and treatment of hypertension in low- and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries. Research published in 2019 by Pascal Geldsetzer and others showed that 26% of people with hypertension in 44 low- and middle-income countries had never received a blood pressure check. Furthermore, merely one in 10 of the hypertension cases had attained control. People in poverty with hypertension often cannot access quality treatment and heavily depend on good health to support themselves financially. 

Air Pollution and Stroke

Air pollution is a significant contributor to stroke and causes 21% of worldwide stroke deaths, according to a report from Dean Schraufnagel and others in 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2016 that more than 85% of air pollution-caused deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Lower-income groups in developing countries often work outdoors and endure more air pollution exposure, creating a relationship between poverty and air pollution. Jun Rentschler and Nadezea Leonova reported research in 2023 showing that more than 700 million people living on less than $2 per day experience unsafe levels of air pollution exposure. Air quality standards are typically less strict in developing countries than in high-income countries. The sources of air pollution include older models of machines and cars, city transportation systems, industrialization and the clearing and burning of land for farming. 

Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke. Over the long term, tiny pieces of air pollutants affect internal organ function, leading to increased blood clot formation and a potential stroke. 

Health Care Access and Stroke Outcomes

Health care access affects the outcomes of stroke in low- and middle-income countries. A research study by Peter Langhorne and others published in 2018 showed that people in low- and middle-income countries had reduced access to evaluation and treatment when experiencing a stroke. Poverty is also linked to decreased access to quality care for strokes and other cardiovascular events. 

According to a study by Mohammad Rabhar and others published in 2022, access to health care contributes to the lower average age of stroke in low- and middle-income countries. Health care facilities in these countries do not always start preventative stroke measures, such as treating hypertension and measuring blood lipids. Developing countries often lack the imaging capabilities necessary to diagnose stroke effectively. Improving access to health care before, during and after stroke is a potential strategy to reduce stroke incidence and death in low- and middle-income countries. 

The Fight To Improve Stroke Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

With an increased understanding of stroke in developing countries, organizations are acting to reduce the burden. In 2017, the International Society of Hypertension began a global campaign to screen people for hypertension. Over two years, the effort resulted in the blood pressure evaluations of 4.2 million people. 

There are also regional groups fighting stroke, including the Middle East and North Africa Stroke Organization, the African Stroke Organization, the European Stroke Organization and the Asia Pacific Stroke Organization. In 2022, the American Heart Association recognized the Middle East and North Africa Stroke Organization for its efforts to educate citizens and health care professionals about stroke and its advocacy for stroke health services. 

The World Stroke Organization—Lancet Neurology Commission Stroke Collaboration Group published a multi-pronged practical strategy for improving worldwide stroke outcomes in October 2023. The commission outlines a path to improve stroke outcomes in developing countries, including increasing surveillance, and access to preventative health care, acute stroke care and rehabilitation therapies. To encourage research on global stroke prevention and treatment, the World Stroke Organization announced funding for four pilot research projects in 2024, prioritizing projects focused on stroke in low- and middle-income countries. 

Looking Ahead 

Stroke in low- and middle-income countries is a complex and multifaceted issue. People in poverty can experience increased exposure to the risk factors of stroke and have fewer resources to cope with stroke. International organizations continue researching and implementing practical strategies to reduce stroke in impacted countries. Improvements in the prevention and treatment of stroke can potentially improve citizens’ quality of life and economic contributions.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Unsplash

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Cardiovascular Disease in Cambodia

Cardiovascular Disease in CambodiaGlobally, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death. Countries with elevated poverty rates are at a higher risk for instances of cardiovascular disease, primarily due to a lack of access to health care. As of 2019, 17.8% of the Cambodian population lives in poverty, with limited access to health care, so cardiovascular disease in Cambodia is an extremely pressing issue.

The Facts

Cardiovascular disease in Cambodia is the country’s leading cause of death. This is likely due to the fact that risk factors, such as habitual smoking, are very loosely controlled. Of Cambodians over the age of 40, 12% suffer from hypertension, while 32% of Cambodian men smoke cigarettes. Given that only 60% of Cambodians with diabetes have access to treatment, it is likely that those suffering from cardiovascular disease likewise have limited resources to help. 

However, the main reason cardiovascular disease plagues Cambodia is due to lack of access to preventative care. In U.S. schools, for instance, children are educated from an early age on the dangers of nicotine and tobacco usage, which contributes to the fact that only 13.1% of U.S. adult men smoke cigarettes. The low levels of diagnosed hypertension and diabetes in Cambodia indicates that clinics in Cambodia are not thoroughly conducting preventative treatments and diagnosis. Health care providers may not be following provided guidelines for patient care, indicating a “know-do” gap. 

A study that the U.S. National Library of Medicine did discovered three major reasons for the high rates of cardiovascular disease in Cambodia. The study found that only 4.7% of Cambodian practitioners actually measured blood glucose levels, which could explain how diabetes so frequently goes undiagnosed. Additionally, only 18% of practitioners asked patients about their smoking habits, and only 33.8% knew to ask about this. Lastly, guidelines state that health care providers should measure blood pressure twice in a visit, and only 8% of doctors in the study did so. This suggests that rates of hypertension may be significantly higher than known studies imply.

Improvements to Cambodian Health Care

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works through the “One Health Workforce-Next Generation” regional network that supports Cambodia by training health professionals on how to properly respond to human disease threats, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past five years, USAID has made numerous advancements within the Cambodian health care system, including:

  • Improving the cost-effectiveness of HIV response and HIV services in order to help reduce HIV prevalence from 1.7% in 1998 to 0.6% in 2020.
  • Training staff at 47 health care centers and three referral hospitals on the Tuberculosis Management Information System.
  • Providing more than $16 million to assist the Cambodian COVID-19 response. This money went to virtual learning equipment for 46 Cambodian hospitals and health care departments and training for 7,900 health care workers on the proper response and prevention techniques for COVID-19.

Hospitals and Health Facilities in Cambodia

In Cambodia, hospitals are concentrated in urban areas, with a lack of health facilities in rural areas. Those living in rural areas lack access to health care, but also lack access to education about dietary and lifestyle choices that may prevent cardiovascular disease. Additionally, due to limited funding and resources dedicated to hospital services, there are many indications that health care providers are also not receiving sufficient training.

Due to lack of health care access in Cambodia and the shortcomings of many health care providers, cardiovascular disease in Cambodia is an extremely pressing issue. Education about preventative measures for the entire population is critical to reducing rates of cardiovascular disease in Cambodia.

– Aubrey Acord
Photo: Flickr

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Top 5 Zoonotic Diseases in Kenya

Zoonotic Diseases in KenyaThe animal health sector in developing African countries is still under-resourced in awareness, detection and diagnosis, and control and interruption of transmission. To illustrate, more than 75% of illnesses in the past 30 years have stemmed from zoonosis — an infectious disease first contracted in vertebrate animals, which then spreads to human hosts — causing millions of deaths annually. Pathogens can develop when animals inhale or ingest bacteria in contaminated soil, water, or plants. One of the reasons for such a high rate of zoonotic cases is that the African population is the fastest growing in the world, therefore increasing the demand for animal-based foods.

Low-resourced and rural environments are most affected by these zoonotic pathogens, as livestock play a pivotal role in everyday life, making up more than 5.5% of the National Gross Domestic Product. For example, individuals interact with their animals via shared housing and practices such as milking, herding, deworming and aiding with the birthing process. Furthermore, several cultural norms bolster the consumption of unprocessed products from livestock — such as uninspected meat and unpasteurized milk. Here are the top five zoonotic diseases in Kenya.

The Top 5 Zoonotic Diseases in Kenya

  1. Anthrax: Although this disease is not contagious, the Bacillus Anthracis bacteria can cause serious illness in animals and humans. People working with livestock products like wool or hair or those eating raw meat from infected animals are at an increased risk of contracting anthrax. Symptoms include blisters, swelling, sore throat, bloody vomiting and fever.
  2. Trypanosomiasis: Also, known as the “sleeping sickness,” the trypanosoma Brucei parasites causes trypanosomiasis. Tsetse flies bite animals and humans in rural areas — specifically in Kenya’s woodlands and thickets. Wild animals like gazelles, jackals and camels are implicated in the spread of the disease, specifically contaminating hunters and visitors of game parks. Infected people can contract extreme fatigue, aching muscles, severe headaches, skin rashes and even personality changes.
  3. Rabies: Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through direct contact, such as bites and open wounds, with nervous system tissue or saliva from rabid animals like bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons. The first symptoms are similar to those of the flu. Then, they progress to cerebral dysfunction and anxiety. Unless a person seeks medical care after exposure to rabies, the virus can trigger disease in the brain, ultimately leading to death.
  4. Brucellosis: Animals most commonly infected by the Brucella bacteria include sheep, cattle, pigs, dogs and goats. Drinking or eating unpasteurized dairy products or raw meat is humans’ primary source of contamination. Although person-to-person infection is rare, infected mothers who are breastfeeding may spread brucellosis to their infants. Signs of brucellosis can include sweating, arthritis, neurologic symptoms, anorexia and swelling of the liver.
  5. Rift Valley Fever (RVF): RVF is a viral disease typically found in buffalo, cattle, sheep and camels. It is spread to humans through contact with infected animals’ body fluids, blood, and tissues or through mosquito bites. Usually, people infected with RVF show no symptoms — or a mild illness that comprises fever, muscle weakness and dizziness. In rarer cases, they can develop ocular disease, encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever.

Solutions to the Zoonotic Diseases in Kenya

One Health is a program that the American Veterinary Medical Association defines as “the integrative effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally to attain optimism for people, animals, and the environment.” In Kenya, understanding, preventing and controlling re-emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases is crucial to adopt and implement the One Health approach.

Since 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Kenya has successfully allied with government institutions to create a coordination framework between the public and animal health sectors at national and county levels. Adopting the One Health approach has enabled earlier detection and control of zoonotic disease outbreaks, and ultimately, it has enhanced national health security and the economy.

– Abigail Roch
Photo: Unsplash

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The Burden of Rare Diseases in South Africa

Rare Diseases in South AfricaThe European Union states that a condition is considered rare when it affects fewer than one person out of every 2000. Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) estimates that medical conditions affect 3.6 million individuals in South Africa.

According to Rare Diseases SA, most rare diseases are believed to be caused by factors explicitly in genes or chromosomes like Huntington’s disease. However, it’s important to note that not all rare diseases are inherited. Some can be attributed to infections, chronic liver conditions (such as African iron overload), rare types of cancers (like pancreatic cancer) and even autoimmune disorders (such as hemolytic anemia). According to Rare Diseases SA, the lack of a definition for rare diseases in South Africa is a significant issue that the government needs to address.

Rare Diseases Challenges in South Africa’s Health Care System

It is concerning that many hospitals in the country do not keep records of diagnoses, which poses a challenge for researchers. This problem is compounded by the limited funding to researchers in South Africa compared to developed countries. 

Rare Diseases SA reported that despite spending 8.5% of GDP on health care, South Africa’s health outcomes are among the poorest globally. According to World Bank, while South Africa has seen some improvements in poverty reduction since 1994, around 55.5% (equivalent to 30.3 million individuals) of the population still find themselves living below the upper poverty line, which is approximately ZAR 992. Additionally, a significant number of people, totaling around 13.8 million individuals (25%), face food poverty. There is a shortage of expertise in both the private sectors to identify and diagnose rare diseases in South Africa.

Additionally, the exorbitant cost of medications used to treat these diseases often makes them inaccessible.

According to Jacobson, rare diseases pose a challenge for health care practitioners who often lack the awareness and expertise for diagnosis, timely referral and appropriate management due to their rarity. As a result, patients may go undiagnosed, be misdiagnosed or experience delays in receiving a diagnosis. This lack impacts not only their health but also their socioeconomic status, family life, educational and employment opportunities and overall participation in society. The consequences of this can create a cycle of vulnerability and poverty. 

Even when rare diseases are correctly identified, individuals with conditions face obstacles in accessing necessary treatment and health care services. In South Africa, diseases are not considered within health care planning and policy-making processes. Additionally, patients often encounter neglect or dismissal from health care funders, further delaying treatment and denying their access to health care altogether. 

Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) and Advocacy

Established in 2013, Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) is a for-profit organization that advocates for individuals affected by rare diseases and congenital disorders. Their mission is to ensure these individuals receive recognition, support, improved health care services and a better quality of life. Over the years, RDSA has successfully implemented initiatives that have impacted the lives of more than 1,800 patients. It has actively engaged with departments, state organizations, industry leaders and other key stakeholders to raise awareness about diseases and advance policies related to them. 

Today, RDSA combines standards and local medical breakthroughs working together to advocate for marginalized communities and connect them with advancements in health care. 

  1. Advocate: Publicly recommend or support by representing patients affected by rare diseases.
  2. Navigate: Ensure that patients with diseases and congenital disorders have a well-supported journey from the moment they start experiencing symptoms until the end of their lives.
  3. Engage: Work with society and the small community to establish awareness and networking opportunities for rare diseases and congenital disorders in South Africa.
  4. Research: Rare Research is dedicated to addressing matters that revolve around the needs of patients in both global communities affected by rare diseases and congenital disorders.

Looking Ahead

Although rare diseases are a significant problem in South Africa, it is good to know efforts are underway to mitigate them and provide treatment. Through their continued work, hopefully, rare diseases will be eliminated.

– Aysu Usubova
Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting the Philippines

Diseases Impacting the PhilippinesThe Philippines, a country celebrated for its rich culture and scenic beauty, grapples with various health challenges. The country contends with infectious diseases, a shortage of health care services and illnesses linked to the environment. Recognizing these issues, the government has initiated measures to enhance health care infrastructure and tackle critical public health concerns, aiming to effectively address the health issues affecting the Filipino population.

The Philippine’s Health Care System

The Philippines employs a health care system that blends both public and private services. The national health insurance program, known as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), strives to ensure equitable access to quality health care for all citizens. Despite progress toward health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the emergence of chronic diseases poses a new challenge, particularly in impoverished communities.

The health care system has great hospitals and capable medical providers who are unable to account for the large marginalized populations suffering from diseases impacting the Philippines. Made up of more than 7,500 islands and 20,000 miles of coastline, the Philippines has many remote communities whose medical infrastructure and resources are not adequate. This leads to an uneven distribution of health care resources between urban and rural areas, limited financing and a shortage of health care professionals.

Prominent Statistics

Vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing in the Philippines, “potentially reversing the positive results of decades of successful immunization campaigns.” Since 2019, the country has reported outbreaks of polio, measles, respiratory infections and waterborne diseases. In August 2019, the Department of Health declared a national epidemic due to a dengue outbreak. In November 2019, the Philippines faced significant health challenges. Dengue cases surpassed 370,000, resulting in 1,407 deaths. Additionally, 197 cases of diphtheria led to 47 deaths in October. Measles affected over 42,200 people, causing 560 deaths due to complications. The country, polio-free for 19 years, reported four cases caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus. These outbreaks persist due to low population immunity. It highlights the importance of vaccination to safeguard public health and prevent the re-emergence of previously controlled diseases.

Efforts by NGOs and the Government of Philippines

Thankfully, the World Health Organization’s Immunization Agenda of 2030 aims to make vaccinations available globally by 2030. On June 2, 2021, the Department of Health declared the polio outbreak non-urgent after years of “comprehensive outbreak response actions, including intensified immunization and surveillance activities” in remote areas. The Yale Institute for Global Health, UNICEF and Meta developed five graphic campaigns, four in Filipino and one in English, targeting people aged 18-55 years in the Philippines in order to increase awareness of routine vaccination and routine immunization for children.

Non-communicable diseases impacting the Philippines (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Ischemic heart disease are also on the rise, “often linked to lifestyle factors such as diet and lack of physical activity.” Furthermore, there has been a recent spike in diseases such as dengue, diphtheria and malaria.

The Government of the Philippines is reducing NCD rates by implementing a multisectoral Strategic Action Plan for NCD prevention and control (2017-2025), a Plan of Action for Nutrition (2017-2022), various tobacco control policies, tobacco and alcohol taxation, parameters for labeling pre-packaged food and the universal health care (UHC) law. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030; investing in NCD solutions will reduce approximately 350,000 premature deaths over the next 15 years.

Other Ongoing Efforts

  • Disease Prevention and Control: There are efforts in place to control infectious diseases, such as public health campaigns and strengthening disease surveillance systems.
  • Health Infrastructure Development: The government has invested in upgrading hospitals and health equipment, especially in rural areas.
  • Community Health Programs: Health care workers directly communicate with the public by educating them on how to avoid sickness and how to address it.
  • Mental Health Awareness and Services: There is a new focus on psychological services and promoting mental health awareness.
  • Immunization Programs: WHO is offering vaccination programs and has made progress in expanding immunization coverage to protect children from preventable diseases such as measles, polio and hepatitis.

Looking Ahead

Exploring the health challenges in the Philippines could enhance awareness and support the ongoing conversation about public health in the nation. Although the government has made notable progress in tackling public health issues, ongoing trends draw attention to a continuous requirement for collaborative actions from broader stakeholders. This could involve cultivating a global commitment to public health and fostering a united effort to address health concerns.

– Samantha J. Rentfro
Photo: Flickr