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Innovative Ways CEPI is Fighting Lassa Fever

CEPILassa Fever is spread primarily through rodents, specifically Mastomys rats. The viral illness affects up to half a million people a year, with thousands of deaths reported each year. Despite its destructive impact on West Africa, there is still no licensed vaccine. To fight this, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is driving forward an ambitious strategy that combines science, partnerships and capacity building. CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, offering a blueprint for how the world can prepare for other epidemic threats.

Accelerating Clinical Trials in West Africa

A key step toward eliminating Lassa Fever lies within vaccine development and CEPI is helping to fast-track clinical trials directly in the communities that have been most affected. In 2022, CEPI supported Phase 1 trials in Liberia, marking the first test of an experimental Lassa vaccine in West Africa. This has now been followed up with Phase 2 studies across Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia, which have enrolled more than 600 participants as of 2024.

The Lassa Fever Vaccine Efficacy and Prevention for West Africa (LEAP4WA) consortium, funded by both CEPI and the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnerships (EDCTP), is now preparing for a phase 2b efficacy trial in Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. CEPI’s April 2025 LEAP4WA newsletter confirms that this trial, evaluating the ‘rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC’ vaccine candidate, will begin in 2026 with extensive preparations already underway.

Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, stressed the urgency of the development of a vaccine: “Lassa Fever has been neglected far too long; through supporting trials in endemic regions, we can help those in need.” This focus on West African communities reflects one of the most important ways CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that science serves the people who need it most.

Understanding the Disease Through Epidemiology

Developing a vaccine is only half the challenge; understanding the virus itself is equally vital. That is why CEPI has created its ENABLE program, the largest study of its kind for Lassa Fever, which has enrolled up to 23,000 participants across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This ground-breaking study aims to map transmissions, symptoms and risk factors. These findings are vital for guiding future vaccination campaigns.

To ensure global data consistency, CEPI’s Enabling Science initiative, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has developed international standards and assays for Lassa Fever. This ensures laboratories worldwide can reliably evaluate vaccines and diagnostics.

Gabrielle Breugelmans, CEPI’s Director of Epidemiology, stated, “ENABLE 1.5, running in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, is giving a clearer picture. Its findings will guide vaccine trial locations and help identify priority groups for vaccination.” Supporting this, CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) has become the world’s largest vaccine testing network, processing more than 120,000 samples and aiding more than 60 developers. In 2025, it expanded with new members, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has strengthened Africa’s outbreak readiness. 

In accordance with this, CEPI’s Biospecimen Sourcing Initiative aims to reduce the time needed to collect survivor samples from months to weeks, accelerating the diagnostic process and vaccine development. Together, these innovations demonstrate the way CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, linking local epidemiology and global lab capacity.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Governance

Scientific progress alone cannot subdue Lassa Fever. Strong governance and collaboration are essential to ensure vaccines are delivered fairly and effectively. CEPI has worked with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to launch the Lassa Fever coalition. This collaboration brings together ministries of health, NGOs and civil society organizations to coordinate strategies across borders.

Oyeronke Oyebanji, the head of CEPI’s Lassa Engagement, proclaimed, “The coalition reflects growing solidarity across West Africa, strengthening health security for Lassa and other epidemic threats.” 

In parallel, CEPI supports the RegECs Project, which has harmonized regulatory and ethical approval processes across West Africa through collaboration with the African Regulatory Forum (AVAREF). This innovation has reduced delays in starting trials whilst upholding the international safety standards. Such cross-border cooperation is yet another example of how the CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that progress doesn’t stop at the laboratory but extends into policy and practice.

Building Clinical Trial Infrastructure

One of CEPI’s most forward-thinking strategies is investment in local infrastructure. Through the Research Preparedness Program West Africa (RPPWA), CEPI is helping establish new laboratories, train researchers and prepare trial sites capable of hosting large-scale studies. These investments are designed to outlast any single project. By strengthening scientific capacity across the region, CEPI is building resilience that will help West African countries respond not only to Lassa fever but also to future outbreaks such as Ebola or unknown diseases like “Disease X.” This commitment to sustainability is another practical way CEPI is fighting Lassa fever, leaving behind a legacy of stronger, self-reliant health systems.

A Blueprint for Future Epidemics

CEPI’s fight against Lassa fever illustrates how epidemic preparedness must go beyond developing a vaccine. Indeed, it requires embedding research with affected communities, building networks of trust and investing in long-term infrastructure. Its work shows that when science, governance and regional leadership align, neglected diseases can be confronted head-on.

Through accelerated clinical trials, pioneering epidemiological studies, regional governance initiatives and infrastructure development, CEPI is reshaping how the world approaches epidemic threats. These strategies are among the most impactful ways CEPI is fighting Lassa fever while also providing a model for addressing other emerging infectious diseases. In a region where outbreaks have too often devastated communities, CEPI’s approach offers hope not just of a vaccine but of a safer, more resilient future.

– Charlie Wood

Charlie is based in Liversedge, West Yorkshire and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Diseases Impacting Saudi Arabia

Diseases Impacting Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia’s government has spent much of the last decade trying to promote the nation as a cultural and economic superpower. It has achieved this through massive investment in the tourism sector and by hosting various high-profile sporting events. The Saudi government clearly also prioritizes the population’s health with the latest available figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggesting that 12.8% of Saudi Arabia’s public expenditure is dedicated to public health projects. This is significantly higher than both the global average of 10.8% and the average of 8.3% that Saudi Arabia’s eastern Mediterranean neighbors spend. Despite this, some communicable diseases continue to pose a significant risk to public welfare. Here is information about the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia and the efforts to address them.

 1. Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, which the mosquito-borne Orthoflavivirus causes, can cause high fever, muscle pain and large rashes. Rising average temperatures across the Mediterranean have allowed mosquitoes to spread north from East Africa to the Middle East. This has increased Saudi Arabia’s mosquito population and has contributed to a rise in infection rates since the 1990s. These rates spike each year during the holy month of Ramadan, where this year, more than 122 million worshippers visited the city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia.

Large gatherings of people from outside the country, who have had no previous exposure to the virus and have therefore built no immunity, can allow it to spread rapidly if they do not take the necessary precautions, such as wearing insect-proof clothing and sleeping under mosquito nets.

The Saudi health ministry has invested heavily in raising awareness of behaviors that prevent the spread of mosquitoes among locals. This helped reduce the number of annual reported infections from 4,266 in 2018 to 1,888 the following year.

2. MERS-CoV

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is one of the most recently identified diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. In early 2025, the Saudi health ministry confirmed nine cases, including two deaths.

MERS-CoV produces flu-like symptoms and infects patients through their respiratory system. Experts believe it has passed to Saudi Arabia’s rural population through contact with dromedary camels, which people widely use for transportation across the country’s deserts.

 3. Meningitis

The Saudi health ministry identified 11 cases of meningitis in March 2025, with the WHO identifying a further 17 in April. In response to this, the Saudi health ministry now requires anyone entering the country to receive a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days prior to their arrival. At the time, estimates indicated that only 54% of international visitors to Saudi Arabia met the vaccination requirements.

The Saudi health ministry highlighted the importance of vaccination to citizens in its public health campaigns. This complements a post-exposure chemoprophylaxis scheme, in which close contacts of patients receive antimicrobial prophylaxis in order to prevent further transmission.

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has classified meningococcal meningitis as one of the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia, which poses the greatest risk to British tourists visiting the country. The UKHSA’s current guidance urges tourists travelling to Saudi Arabia to ensure they receiv meningitis vaccinations before they travel.

 4. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most widely researched diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Since 2021, Saudi Arabia’s National Tuberculosis Programme has focused on training hospital staff to prevent TB being transmitted between patients, and investing in specialist TB hospitals.

These efforts to curb the spread of the disease have reduced the infection rate from 23 infections per 100,000 people in 2000, to 8.4 infections per 100,000 people in 2023. This meets the targets set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on health and well-being.

Despite this success, TB remains more prevalent in Saudi Arabia than in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, and in much of Europe, including the U.K. 

5. Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with animals such as sheep, goats and camels, and through drinking their unpasteurized milk. Many epidemiologists believe it to be the most widespread zoonotic infection in the world.

Infection rates have dropped in Saudi Arabia over the last 30 years, partially due to urbanization reducing the number of people working in agriculture. Despite this, the disease remains endemic in rural communities.

Antibiotics such as Doxycycline can treat brucellosis, with ongoing humanitarian efforts focusing on supplying these medicines to remote areas.

Future Steps

Internal and external efforts to raise public awareness of vital health practices and improve the supply of treatments to rural communities are combating diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Recent outbreaks, however, prove that substantial government funding of the health ministry and international co-operation remain crucial to further reducing the threat that communicable diseases pose across the country.

– Billy Stack

Billy is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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New 6-In-1 Vaccine in Mauritania Can Save Millions of Lives

6-In-1 Vaccine in mauritaniaEach year, nearly four million children aged below 5 die due to infectious diseases. Many of these diseases, such as measles, whooping cough and tetanus, have been largely eliminated in developed countries. However, a lack of vaccination in underdeveloped nations has had serious repercussions for residents who can’t access the medicine.

Difficulties in transporting the vaccine while keeping it at the proper temperature (called the “cold chain” process) and finding enough workers trained to administer it are only a few of the problems that these countries face. The sheer amount of immunizations that children must receive (as many as 30 by the age of 18) only compounds the problem. This puts strain on families to devote time and money to getting vaccinated.

However, scientists have a solution: a 6-in-1 vaccine that costs less and requires less medical assistance, thus eliminating barriers that previously prevented poor countries, like Mauritania from vaccinating. Mauritania and Senegal are the first two developing countries to adopt the 6-in-1 vaccine. Their adoption indicates a promising outlook for disease prevention in poverty-stricken nations.

About the Hexavalent Vaccine

The 6-in-1 (“hexavalent”) vaccine consists of a single shot that contains protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and polio. Before it was first used in the mid-2010s, the World Health Organization (WHO) utilized a similar pentavalent vaccine containing all the same immunizations except for polio, which had to be administered through a separate shot.

The pentavalent vaccine was highly successful, protecting approximately 80 million children annually during its 20-plus-year stint. However, the new hexavalent vaccine may have even greater potential. This is due to its ability to reduce inefficiencies caused by multiple shots and reduce overall storage and shipping costs.

Financial Crisis in Mauritania

Mauritania and its neighbor, Senegal, were the first low-income countries to implement the hexavalent vaccine in July 2025. Both countries experience significant poverty rates. However, Mauritania faces an especially pressing problem: to produce enough crops to feed its population of 5.2 million when less than 0.5% of its land is suitable for farming.

Despite being one of the least densely populated countries in the world, Mauritania faces an alarming hunger crisis compounded by recent flooding and an influx of refugees. In fact, inflation and decreased agricultural productivity are expected to bring an additional 200,000 people into poverty by 2027. As of 2022, food insecurity rates have reached 20%, up 9% from the previous year. An influx of refugees from neighboring countries also burdens Mauritania.

These factors cast a grim shadow over the future of Mauritania. Only 55% of children attend school due to the nation’s severely underfunded education sector. The health care industry is similarly lacking; a recent diphtheria outbreak in a refugee camp underscores the need for disease prevention in Mauritania.

Given its precarious economic and social situation, Mauritania may seem like a losing battle; however, introducing the hexavalent vaccine marks a new chapter in comprehensive aid for struggling countries.

A Helping Hand

Mauritania needs all the help it can get and Gavi is determined to provide it. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a Switzerland-based humanitarian organization responsible for introducing hexavalent vaccines into low-income countries, starting with Mauritania and Senegal. The group is also pushing for greater immunization equality worldwide.

In Mauritania alone, there are more than 35,000 underimmunized children. This results in exponentially higher infectious disease rates and an average lifespan 10 years shorter than that of the U.S. and other developed countries. The discrepancy can be attributed to lower levels of public health funding in impoverished countries like Mauritania. Without financial support, vaccines have also been too expensive to afford.

Katy Clark, a senior program manager at Gavi, expresses her frustration: “It wasn’t fair that high-income countries have had this combination vaccine for more than 20 years, while lower-income countries have had to wait.”

However, thanks to Gavi’s funding, Mauritania can purchase the 6-in-1 Vaccine for $3.00 per dose, which is $1.50 less than it would cost without Gavi’s support. The nation also saves money on labor and packaging, since the vaccine requires one fewer shot than the previous pentavalent and polio combination.

Conclusion

In the past 50 years, Gavi has vaccinated more than a billion children and prevented 40 million casualties from infectious diseases. This number can continue to increase through a strategic approach that prioritizes health care, affordable prices and humanitarian aid.

Global organizations like Gavi and UNICEF can provide targeted support by considering each nation’s specific needs and deficiencies, such as Mauritania’s hunger crisis and low vaccination rates. This approach can greatly improve the livelihoods of those in low-income countries.

The hexavalent vaccine has the potential to aid millions of people worldwide. Its path of trial and success demonstrates how crucial technological innovation is to the future of global health.

– Grace Gonzalez

Grace is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Diseases Impacting Iran

Diseases Impacting IranIran’s health system faces a complex mix of challenges. Chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are rising quickly, while infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and leishmaniasis still threaten vulnerable regions. These health issues are shaped not only by biology but also by environment, economy and access to care. Pollution, economic pressures and health care gaps make the picture even more complicated. From the air people breathe in Tehran to the food on their tables, these risks shape daily life and long-term well-being. Here is information about the diseases impacting Iran and the efforts in place to address them.

1. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Chronic diseases, especially heart problems, are the most significant health concern. In 2019, cardiovascular diseases caused about 3.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly one-third of all deaths. By 2021, CVD was the second leading cause of death and disability, with 4,367 DALYs per 100,000 people.

The IraPEN program, part of a global initiative, targets prevention through primary care. After one year in pilot regions, results showed a reduction in 10-year CVD risk (from 0.198 to 0.177 in men, and 0.119 to 0.109 in women), lower average blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, alongside a drop in smoking among men from 13.8% to 10.5%.

Still, lifestyle-related risks are rising. As of 2021, Iran had around 80 million NCD cases, with women carrying a slightly higher burden. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension are increasingly common. Experts stress raising awareness, healthier environments and stronger prevention programs to address diseases impacting Iran’s population.

Through community health centers and health houses, the program offers free screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol; provides early cancer detection (cervical, breast and colorectal); and includes health education and counseling on smoking cessation, healthy diet and physical activity.

2. Infectious Diseases

While many have been controlled, some persist:

  • Tuberculosis and HIV: From 2018–2021, a study tracked 25,011 new TB cases, 2.68% also HIV-positive. People with both had longer treatments and lower success rates (65%) versus TB alone (83.4%).
  • Leishmaniasis: Leishmaniasis still affects Esfahan, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. Among military personnel, 2,894 cases were reported between 2018 and 2022. In southeast Iran, cases peaked in 2021 at 318, compared to 81 in 2018. Classified as a “neglected tropical disease,” it still causes suffering yearly.

Other infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases and zoonoses remain concerns in Iran and the wider region. These infectious diseases remain among the most persistent health challenges and diseases impacting Iran today.

3. Environmental Health Risks

Air pollution is one of Iran’s deadliest threats, blamed for around 40,000 premature deaths each year. In 2018, treatment costs and lost productivity from PM2.5 accounted for about 3.7% of GDP.

Despite the Clean Air Act (2017), smog still chokes major cities. In January 2025, the government announced plans to relocate the capital, citing Tehran’s deteriorating air quality. Pollution stands alongside infectious and chronic conditions as one of the key issues and health risks impacting Iran.

4. Access to Health Care

Iran faces a “double burden”: chronic disease and lingering infections. According to WHO’s Health at a Glance: Iran (2021), of 514,446 deaths that year, 57% were due to NCDs, 29% from communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions. Medicine shortages and sanctions also undermine health care delivery, worsening the burden of diseases impacting Iran’s health care system.

Poverty significantly deepens Iran’s health challenges. Recent reports estimate that the poverty rate in Iran has hovered around 30% between 2019 and 2024—meaning approximately 25 to 26 million people live below the poverty line. Between 2011 and 2020, the share of Iranians living below the international poverty line rose from 20% to 28.1%. Many low-income households cannot afford nutritious food, safe housing or preventive care, increasing their risk of both chronic and infectious diseases.

5. Government Efforts

Iran has expanded IraPEN and, in 2014, formed the National Committee for NCD Prevention and Control to lead a nationwide response to chronic diseases. The committee, chaired by the Ministry of Health and supported by the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security, coordinates across multiple ministries to integrate NCD prevention into primary health care, promote tobacco control and expand early detection programs. It also monitors national progress toward WHO’s global targets, including reducing premature NCD deaths by 30% by 2030.

Looking Ahead

Chronic illnesses dominate, but infectious diseases and environmental hazards still claim lives and drain resources. Programs like IraPEN show promise, but real progress requires better health care, living conditions, education and infrastructure. Together, these factors illustrate the full scale of diseases impacting Iran and shaping its future.

– Katie Williams

Katie is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Belize: A Story of Progress and Persistence

Diseases Impacting BelizeIn April 2025, news of a measles outbreak spread through Belize City and lines of anxious parents formed around pop-up clinics. Three months later, health officials announced the containment of the outbreak. This was a promising reminder that while diseases impacting Belize are still a serious threat, public health improvements are very real.

Poverty and Health in Belize

Since becoming independent in 1981, tourism has become the largest economic driver in Belize. Over the past few years, notable progress has occurred in reducing poverty with incidence rates falling from 36.5% in 2021 to 22.1% in 2024. Despite this, the intensity of deprivation among those still affected remains unchanged.

According to the Health Care Access and Quality Index, Belize ranks 55 out of 100, demonstrating visible gaps in both availability and quality of care. Rural populations in particular continue to face the greatest hardships with poverty rates as high as 67.9%. Currently, 23% of health care spending comes out of pocket, leaving low-income families struggling to gain access to essential medical services.

Strengthening Belize’s Health System

In spite of challenges, Belize achieved notable public health milestones, showing that progress is possible amidst poverty. Along with the rapid containment of the 2025 measles outbreak, the country was officially declared malaria-free in 2023.

The Belize Ministry of Health, in partnership with PAHO/WHO, launched the Strategic Plan 2025-2034 to strengthen the health system and modernize health care. This decade-long plan tackles key public health challenges to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Building on this framework, officials established public health campaigns to prevent dengue and implemented rapid immunization response teams, strengthening the nation’s ability to contain outbreaks.

These initiatives demonstrate progress towards improved health outcomes and malaria and measles are no longer a threat. However, there are several diseases that continue to pose significant concern, highlighting areas where continued efforts are essential.

Top 5 Diseases Impacting Belize

  1. Dengue Fever: This mosquito-borne infection causes flu-like symptoms which can become fatal. Cases of dengue fever surged more than 260% over the last year, mostly in rural areas where access to health care is limited. Currently, there is no treatment, and prevention is focused on mosquito control through improved sanitation and  public awareness. Better access to medical services and early detection can lower fatality rates to under 1%.
  2. Heart Disease: Heart disease is the leading non-communicable disease in Belize, accounting for 11.27% of total deaths. Poverty and food insecurity prevent access to proper nutrition, resulting in reliance on inexpensive high-calorie foods that fuel heart disease. Better access to medical services and trained providers is key to prevention and reduced mortality rates. Leading the way forward is the HEARTS program that allows physicians to better manage heart disease risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
  3. Tuberculosis (TB): TB affects 27 people per 100,000 every year. Treatment rates have increased to 80%, but poverty remains a driving factor. Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability. Limited health care access also delays diagnosis and treatment. The Ministry of Health’s current strategy includes promoting regular checkups and the use of DOTS (directly observed treatment strategy) to improve early detection and diagnosis.
  4. HIV/AIDS: Belize has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Central America. Only 80% of affected individuals are aware of their status with just 60% receiving treatment. Poverty is a significant social factor as low-income populations face limited access to education, health services and prevention resources. Despite these challenges, progress has been made recently in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission through improved prenatal testing. 
  5. Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a serious health threat to Belizeans experiencing poverty. Limited access to nutrition, treatment and prevention resources increase the risks and mortality rate. Currently, less than 4% of affected people are aware of their condition. Efforts like the Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure are now focused on training providers and educating communities to improve prevention and care.

Building on Progress

With diseases impacting Belize still a major concern, efforts to address poverty and expand health care access are vital. The Cornerstone Foundation is currently a key player in those efforts. Through community-driven programs it is:

  • Providing relief and aid through food assistance programs, health care services and job training. 
  • Supporting government initiatives to provide basic nutrition, clean water and healthy sanitation to underserved areas.
  • Offering health programs that include outreach and education, clinical services, senior support and natural healing initiatives. 
  • Raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, supporting prevention and disease management. 

Despite these efforts, and those of other organizations, challenges remain to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Poverty is a key barrier, restricting access to proper nutrition, clean water and quality medical services. By expanding health care access, improving clinics, training health care workers and strengthening immunization and prevention programs, Belize can build on its progress and success.

Persistence and continued effort are essential to ensure health improvements for all communities. The quick containment of the 2025 measles outbreak reminds us that progress is real. Sustained commitment will bring healthier futures to all Belizeans. 

– Tina Kusal

Tina is based in Montrose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Whooping Cough Outbreak In South Korea: Vaccination Efforts

Whooping Cough Outbreak In South KoreaIn 2024, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported a 54.5% rise in non-COVID-19 infectious diseases in South Korea, driven by an increase in respiratory illnesses among children. Pertussis, colloquially known as whooping cough, was the most significant contributor, increasing from 293 cases in 2023 to 48,048 cases in 2024. Between January and April 2025, reported cases increased by 770% compared to the same period the previous year. Despite the country’s 90% vaccination rate among children, a rate that exceeds that of most countries, the acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine’s failure to provide long-lasting immunity continues to underscore the effectiveness of vaccination efforts.

Whooping Cough Outbreak In South Korea

Pertussis, or the whooping cough, is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. This infectious disease begins with cold-like symptoms that can develop into more severe symptoms such as a prolonged, uncontrolled cough and vomiting. The cough can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, earning it the nickname “the 100-day cough.”

The KDCA warns that one individual could infect up to 70 others, due to its highly transmissible nature via respiratory droplets. The DTaP vaccine is included in South Korea’s National Immunization Program (NIP), currently scheduled at 2, 4 and 6 months; between 15 and 18 months; between 4 and 6 years; for children aged 11-12; and for all pregnant women, as of 2015. However, immunization efforts have not been able to slow the outbreak, as immunity wanes after two to four years with the current DTaP vaccine.

The 2023 whooping cough outbreak in South Korea began in Gyeongsang Province, primarily linked to transmission in kindergartens, elementary schools and high schools.

Screening and Vaccination Efforts

The KDCA implemented a nationwide screening program for individuals with persistent coughs. In 2024, cases began to surge in four additional regional hotspots. By November 2024, Korea reported its first pertussis-related death since 2011, involving an infant under two months old. In 2025, children and adolescents aged 5–19 accounted for 70% of cases, as pediatric clinics across the country struggled to cope with an overwhelming number of patients. The KDCA currently encourages boosters for children aged 11-12 and all adult/elderly guardians; however, uptake has been low, as the measure has not been fully implemented in the NIP, with only 83% of 11-12 children and less than 2% of adults receiving the booster shot in 2024.

South Korea Rebuilds Health Care System

The whooping cough outbreak comes at a time when the South Korean health care system is under stress from the pandemic, an aging population and the recent medical student strike, which has worsened the current understaffed pediatric and emergency care fields. In February 2024, 10,000 medical students and residents stopped attending classes or submitted resignations to hospitals in protest of the previous administration’s plan to increase medical school admissions from 2,000 to 5,000 as of 2025.

The previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration ordered all medical personnel to resume their duties and medical students to return to classes, threatening penalties for non-compliance. At the time, 8,305 students faced academic consequences and medical staff who continued to strike faced license revocation on the basis of negligence. The 18-month standoff led to procedure postponements and patient backlogs, prompting a mass deployment of military doctors and nurses across the region to fill vacancies.

The drastic increase in admissions, aimed at addressing South Korea’s low doctor-to-patient ratio, was deemed insufficient by the medical students and staff, as it could not address the shortage of doctors in less lucrative fields, such as emergency medicine and pediatrics, or the number of overworked and underpaid doctors across the nation. They further argued that this drastic increase in cohorts would affect the level of schooling received, due to a lack of personnel to teach the additional students. 

End of Strike Action

The end of the strike, as of July 2025, occurred under the new Lee Jae Myung administration, where he promised that students and residents could return to school without penalties and re-establish the number of student admissions to its annual target of 3,000 for Fall 2025. On Sept. 4, 2025, the new administration passed the Special Act on Essential and Regional Health Care and the Regional Doctor Training Act, which aim to reform the current health care system. Under the Regional Doctor Training Act, the government would fully cover the tuition of newly admitted medical students, with the promise of employment in a public health institution post-licensure for a specified period.

South Korea Expands Immunization Efforts

In 2020, South Korea joined the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), aiming to accelerate the development of vaccines for infectious diseases to prevent a pandemic situation. In 2017, CEPI launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in response to the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak. Its major contributors include more than 30 national governments, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the European Commission and private sector partners. CEPI 2.0, part of the 2022-2026 plan, features the 100 Days Mission to develop vaccines against the next Disease X threat within 100 days.

In 2020, the KDCA and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) joined CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network, which entails the collaboration with 20 labs worldwide to evaluate vaccine candidates under uniform protocols. IVI is a U.N.-founded nonprofit, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, that focuses on developing and delivering vaccines for low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on research, training and global collaboration. Since collaborations began, CEPI has allocated roughly $350 million to South Korean institutions, with the government contributing $51 million, strengthening research, international cooperation and South Korea’s infectious disease response systems.

Looking Ahead

The whooping cough outbreak in South Korea highlights the ongoing challenges this and other infectious diseases present, but recent reforms and expanded vaccine research signal progress. The implementation of strengthened health care policies and global collaborations points toward hope for a more resilient country where populations get more protection from outbreaks.

– Elsa van Blokland

Elsa is based in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Malaria in South Korea: Poverty’s Hidden Role

Malaria in South KoreaMalaria in South Korea is climbing near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the divide between North and South Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) raised a nationwide malaria warning on August 19, 2025. This came after it detected the year’s first mosquito in Korea carrying the Plasmodium vivax parasite.

This strain hadn’t been prevalent outside of military officials since the ’90s. However, officials and citizens are rallying together to fight for accessible health care and transportation options in rural areas.

Malaria’s Borderland Comeback

The return of Plasmodium vivax malaria in 1993 had spread mainly among soldiers stationed along the DMZ. Studies estimate that 60% and 90% of cases during this period were young men in their early 20s performing mandatory service near the northern edge of Gyeonggi Province, alongside the DMZ. These troops often lived outdoors in field conditions, which increased their exposure to infected mosquitoes.

Since then, malaria in South Korea has persisted in the regions surrounding the border, making the borderland a place vulnerable to disease due to its limited resources and health care. Today, rural civilians and military personnel make up most new cases of malaria. Farms and rice paddies serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

As of August 2025, South Korea reported 373 malaria cases and health officials project the number will rise as the peak season continues through September. Since infected mosquitoes refuse to stop at the border between North and South Korea, transmission continues unchecked as they travel into rural South Korean cities.

Rice Paddies: Perfect Breeding Ground for Mosquitoes

Rice paddies provide perfect breeding grounds for Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary sources of malaria in South Korea. Research shows that more than 50% of Anopheles sinensis larvae are discovered in rice paddies near the western DMZ region, including areas like Ganghwa and Paju. These flood-prone plains and rice fields provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed and spread throughout rural South Korea.

Malaria transmission is especially widespread near border villages, such as Wolgot‑myeon in Gimpo‑si and Naega‑myeon in Ganghwa‑gun. This highlights the urgent need for resources to combat the growing health crisis as malaria spreads in these rural communities.

Poverty: The Quiet Catalyst

Poverty, poor housing and health care gaps drive the spread of malaria in South Korea, reminding us that this is not just a mosquito problem. Malaria outbreaks are inequality crises that demand urgent solutions.

  • Health care gaps: Near the DMZ, clinics are far away and few are between the cities lining the border. Residents often face lengthy journeys and high transportation costs to access care. Delays in diagnosis and treatment give malaria parasites more time to spread and multiply.
  • Housing conditions: Underserved households often lack essential resources, needing mosquito nets, materials to seal windows and proper air conditioning. This leaves residents vulnerable on hot summer nights when mosquitoes are more prone to bite.
  • Outdoor working conditions: Farmers and forestry workers labor at dawn and dusk, right when Anopheles mosquitoes bite the most. In rural areas, these work environments are often highly staffed, which can significantly increase the disease’s transmission rate.
  • Elderly poverty: South Korea has one of the highest elderly poverty rates in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and many older residents live in rural DMZ counties. These seniors remain both highly exposed and medically vulnerable due to the lack of support and resources available in rural areas.

The Malaria Trap

Malaria in South Korea not only threatens health but also directly impacts the livelihoods of the rural cities along the DMZ. A review found that families bear most of malaria’s economic burden, accounting for an average of 71% of the total costs, including lost wages and health care expenses. Each infection forces workers to miss days in the fields, reduces wages and drains already limited household resources.

Even under universal health care, costs for medication, hospital visits and transportation weigh heavily on those infected with malaria, as many rural cities don’t have health care facilities available. Although the public transportation system in South Korea is well-developed, vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by transportation costs to health care facilities.

Globally, malaria traps low-income families in a vicious cycle: illness reduces income, limiting access to transportation, health care and medicine, which in turn makes preventing future infections harder. Experts call this the “malaria trap” because it keeps people in a never-ending loop.

Groups Tackling Malaria in South Korea

Tackling malaria in South Korea requires more than mosquito control and pesticides. The fight demands coordinated efforts between government agencies, international organizations and community-based groups. Several agencies and organizations are working to contain malaria near the DMZ, which is proving difficult to change overnight.

  • The Korean Red Cross: The Korean Red Cross operates mobile clinics, health programs and disaster relief services across South Korea. It often fills gaps where access is limited. While it doesn’t focus specifically on malaria, its outreach and emergency services support rural and border communities that would otherwise go without care.
  • Against Malaria Foundation Korea (AMF Korea): Founded in August 2023 in Seoul, AMF Korea is the local arm of the globally acclaimed Against Malaria Foundation. It distributes long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to high-risk communities. AMF Korea’s cost-effective, data-driven model and grassroots presence in Korea highlight the potential for local-level malaria prevention efforts.

Additionally, the South Korean government has implemented a five-year plan to eradicate the disease. The strategy focuses on ensuring that everyone can access malaria testing and treatment. It also emphasizes monitoring and evaluating the spread of the disease. The plan also aims to build a network linking public agencies, private organizations and the military to coordinate efforts and contain malaria transmission in South Korea.

Conclusion

The resurgence of malaria in South Korea demonstrates that gross domestic product rankings or international borders cannot deter infectious diseases. The parasite thrives wherever poverty leaves people vulnerable, especially near a Korean rice paddy under the shadow of the DMZ.

Local and global organizations have driven significant progress, but expanding access to health care and medicine in South Korea’s rural communities will have the most profound impact. To eliminate malaria for good, South Korea and its partners must continue fighting mosquitoes and the inequality that allows the disease to persist.

– Nicole Fernandez

Nicole is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Malaria in Bangladesh: How Bangladesh Struck Back

Malaria in BangladeshMalaria is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in South Asia, taking the lives of an estimated 600,000 people globally in 2023. That same year, however, in Bangladesh, it claimed only six. In fact, between 2008 and 2023, the country reduced malaria by 96%. This is a direct result of Bangladesh’s incredible effort to eliminate malaria. This effort is soon to bear fruit.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that can spread to vertebrates. Symptoms can include fever and headaches as well as vomiting and, in extreme cases, death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 263 million malaria cases in 2023 alone.

In fact, travel is a major driver of malaria transmission in Southeast Asia. Understanding how migration influences the spread of the illness is essential to stopping it. Researchers and organizations in Bangladesh have developed several tracking methods, including travel surveys and mobile phone data.

Addressing the Issue

Climates like Bangladesh’s provide ideal breeding conditions for malaria-transmitting mosquitoes to thrive. This threat has been countered for decades with insecticide-treated nets; today, most families own at least one. However, these nets are insufficient to eliminate malaria; they primarily work to reduce transmission rates rather than fully eradicate the disease. To address malaria in Bangladesh, broader and more comprehensive solutions beyond nets are required.

Thankfully, nets are not the only tool Bangladesh has to combat malaria. In 2021, the WHO approved the first malaria vaccine, which Bangladesh quickly adopted and rolled out on as wide a scale as possible. Today, the country has established a strict treatment regimen for those afflicted, using the most up-to-date version of the vaccine to reduce the burden of the disease.

Additionally, in 2021, Bangladesh launched its National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2021–2025), outlining the ambitious goal of eliminating malaria from the country by 2030. The plan emphasizes early detection and treatment, monitoring evolving malaria strains, distributing insecticide-treated nets to at-risk populations and strengthening advocacy efforts to ensure widespread access to treatment.

Final Remarks

Malaria cases in Bangladesh have been steadily declining for years and the trend is expected to continue. From 2022 to 2023, infection rates fell by 9.2%, with predictions showing further decreases in the future. This consistent decline highlights Bangladesh’s perseverance, persistence and determination in combating the threat of malaria.

Bangladesh’s success proves that with the right mix of time, resources, international aid and strong leadership, no disease is unbeatable, not even one as deadly as malaria. The steady decline in cases shows what’s possible when governments, health organizations and communities work together toward a shared goal.

While challenges remain, Bangladesh’s progress stands as a powerful reminder that elimination is within reach and that with persistence, global health victories once thought impossible can, in fact, become reality.

– Cayle Harrison

Cayle is based in Columbia, SC, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Ever-Improving: Health Care in Barbados

Health care in BarbadosBarbados is a small island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Since gaining independence in 1966, Barbados has advanced in many areas, with health care being a notable success.

While challenges remain, particularly health care inequality and the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), Barbados’ system has grown impressively, often ranking near the top globally. Key achievements include robust public health services, universal health care and improved disease screening and data management.

Struggles With Noncommunicable Diseases

The Caribbean has some of the highest consumption of sugary drinks and obesity. This has made NCDs extremely prevalent. Food environments are shifting to less healthy options, increasing sedentary living. These are key factors driving the rise of NCDs. The four main NCDs, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease, account for eight of 10 deaths in the region. Barbados is not foreign to this issue.

As recently as 2024, 75% of all deaths in the Caribbean were from NCDs. Barbados and its economy also take a hit due to this health crisis, as approximately $75 million is lost annually from the impact of NCDs on the island’s workflow. NCDs account for between 1.36% and 8% of the GDP for Caribbean countries, leading to an impact felt across the region. As recently as 2021, people between the ages of 30 and 70 had a 14% probability of dying from NCDs. However, there is a bright side for health care in Barbados.

Progress in Health Care Services

Barbados has universal health care coverage for all citizens and permanent residents, with the government serving as the main provider of health services. This makes health care in Barbados free at the point of delivery, allowing the public to access the care they need. The country also has a strong primary health care system, supported by nine polyclinics and two satellite clinics, all located along the island’s major road networks.

Health care in Barbados has also improved in terms of data storage and screening procedures. The country’s Information Systems for Health have advanced, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) hosted stakeholders in July 2025 to strengthen the health information ecosystem. At this meeting, they identified gaps, strengths and opportunities to make health care systems more data-driven. Additionally, Barbados has enhanced screening and diagnosis for NCDs, particularly breast cancer.

In 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency helped improve access to cancer care by training 40 medical imaging professionals from 13 Caribbean countries to detect breast cancer better. This effort was supported by the PAHO, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and City Cancer Challenge, which collaborated to provide diagnostic training across the region.

Conclusion

Health care in Barbados has seen significant progress despite ongoing challenges. NCDs remain a concern, but advancements in public health offer a clear path forward. With improved screening procedures, stronger data systems and accessible primary care, Barbados continues to demonstrate notable successes in its health care system.

– Amari Jennings

Amari is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Sleeping Sickness in Kenya Eradicated

Sleeping Sickness in KenyaSleeping sickness was first discovered in the early 20th century in Africa. It became the greatest threat to sub-Saharan Africa in the late ’90s. The region reported more than 40,000 cases every year, with the actual number thought to be much higher because of the remote communities suffering from underdiagnosis. By 2018, WHO statistics showed fewer than 1,000 cases across the entire continent—a historic milestone for Africa.

What Is Sleeping Sickness?

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as the sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, transmitted to humans by bites of tsetse flies (Glossina), which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals.

HAT is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD). NTD is a group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. This disease is one of 20 diseases and conditions currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

These flies are very common in sub-Saharan Africa, though only certain species transmit the disease. Rural populations that rely on agriculture, fishing, animal handling or hunting are the most exposed. The disease can spread from single villages to entire regions and the incidence can vary from one village to the next.

Symptoms

Sleeping sickness can be divided into two main categories: West African sleeping sickness and East African sleeping sickness.

The East African sleeping sickness is characterized by a rapid succession of stages. Both stages take about a month and a half to show symptoms. The first stage begins immediately after the fly bites the victim. After a couple of weeks, the parasite starts to infect the brain and central nervous system.

The West African sleeping sickness takes longer to affect a person. Symptoms may be mild during the first few months after a tsetse fly bite introduces the parasite. During the first stage, an infected individual can experience fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, itching and joint pains.

In the second stage, once the parasite reaches the nervous system, it can cause behavioral changes, confusion, sensory disturbances and poor coordination. Sleep cycle disruption, which gives the disease its name, is a prominent feature. Without treatment, HAT is usually fatal, although rare cases of self-cure have been reported.

Kenya Eliminates HAT

Now, the disease is almost completely gone, thanks to coordinated efforts, new diagnostic tools, safer treatments and community-based surveillance. These measures help workers respond more quickly to outbreaks.

Kenya has strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically endemic counties, which act as sentinel sites. The country also actively monitors tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC).

The plan to eliminate this disease in Kenya is entering its final stages, but now it is crucial to ensure that the progress is sustained. WHO is working to prevent any potential resurgence that could lead to another devastating outbreak. WHO has set a goal of eliminating the threat of sleeping sickness across Africa by 2030.

Final Remarks

HAT is the second NTD to be eliminated in Kenya after the country was deemed free of Guinea worm disease in 2018. While there are still challenges involving the sickness, experts say that the trend with the disease is up-and-coming.

Kenya’s success follows similar announcements from nine other African nations: Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Benin, Uganda, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Togo and Guinea.

– Avery Car

Avery is based in Norfolk, Nebraska, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr