Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Addressing the Cholera Outbreak in Kenya

Cholera Outbreak in KenyaSince late February 2025, six counties in Kenya have been facing a cholera outbreak. Active transmission is occurring in four counties: Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Turkana.

Cholera Outbreak in Kenya

The first cholera outbreak in Kenya started in 1971, with current challenges such as displacement and poor infrastructure in rural and flood-affected areas intensifying the issue. Cholera outbreaks mainly stem from two significant factors: changes in climate and inadequate access to sanitation and clean water.

Changing climatic conditions have been connected to cholera outbreaks, including rainfall variations, temperature and extreme weather events. Some Kenyans living in areas impacted by severe weather, such as floods or drought, experience displacement, leaving many without access to clean water and sanitation. Due to the complexity of these cross-border influences, it is increasingly challenging to manage cholera outbreaks.

Cholera remains a serious concern, with the most recent long-term outbreak in Kenya lasting from October 2022 to September 2024. During this period, more than 12,000 cases were reported, resulting in more than 200 deaths. With the fatality rate exceeding the global expectation of 1%, coordinated actions are essential to preventing the spread of cholera and to reducing the severity of future outbreaks.

Solution

To combat the cholera outbreak in Kenya, volunteers at the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) are leading emergency response efforts addressing flooding. Flood response teams focus on search and rescue operations and providing relief to those affected.

In addition, the KRCS partnered with the Ministry of Health to engage community members in tackling the issue. Initiatives include programs that improve knowledge and access, such as Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) deployed rapid response teams to three counties in Kenya to support local health care workers. Their work includes managing active cases through contact tracing, laboratory diagnosis and water testing. WHO also supplies cholera kits to affected areas, containing testing materials, medical equipment and essential medications. In Nairobi County alone, these kits treated an estimated 1,100 mild and severe cases.

To reduce the burden on health officials ahead of potential future outbreaks, the WHO and the Ministry of Health in 2024 trained and deployed 120 workers to high-risk counties, equipping them with the tools to treat cholera cases.

Conclusion

With recent history showing prolonged outbreaks and devastating weather events, the ongoing cholera outbreak in Kenya highlights the need for urgent and sustained action. Displacement, lack of access to sanitation and clean water, along with insufficient infrastructure, continue to drive the spread of cholera, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, coordinated efforts from organizations like the KRCS and the WHO offer hope.

Kenya is taking meaningful steps toward managing this crisis through emergency response and long-term efforts. These include community engagement, training health workers and improving water and sanitation systems. Continued support and investment can help Kenya and surrounding countries break the cycle of recurring outbreaks to build resilience against future public health threats.

– Grace Johnson

Grace is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Diseases Impacting Barbados

Diseases Impacting BarbadosBarbados is a small island nation located in the Caribbean. It is located in the Lesser Antilles, specifically the Windward Islands chain. It has a population of a little above 220,000 people. Barbados is known for being the home country of singer Rihanna, its beautiful, pristine beaches and its rum. However, many diseases are impacting Barbados, making life difficult for its citizens.

Noncommunicable Diseases in Barbados

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Barbados. According to the Global Food Research Program, NCDs accounted for 83% of all deaths in 2016. The primary reason for this is the high consumption rate of sugary drinks. Diseases such as obesity are rising in Barbados.

However, the country is taking steps to fight against the prevalence of NCDs. In 2015, the country implemented a 10% tax on sugary drinks, which increased to 20% in 2022. The country also passed the National School Nutrition Policy, which improved the food quality in Barbadian schools, added measures relating to proper physical activity for students and promoted community health.

In 2023, an estimated 6.9% of Barbadians aged 15 and older used tobacco and 67.2% of people in this age group were either overweight or obese. Nearly 43% of the population reported insufficient physical activity. About 34.6% of Barbadian women and 17.1% of Barbadian men were overweight or obese.

Additionally, 24.4% of the population aged 18 and older reported high blood pressure in 2015. And in 2014, 12.2% of the population 18 and older reported having diabetes mellitus.

Infectious Diseases in Barbados

Barbados also deals with infectious diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists Barbados as a country with a frequent or continuous risk of dengue. There was a dengue outbreak in the country in 2023-2024, with 3,303 cases. There were also eight confirmed cases of chikungunya in 2024. Diseases caused by mosquito bites (such as dengue and chikungunya) are prevalent across the Caribbean.

Since Barbados is a small island nation, outbreaks of infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika can have particularly big impacts on the country’s health care system and its economic productivity.

Barbados’ economy relies on tourism. An outbreak of infectious diseases might discourage tourists from visiting, causing economic loss for the country and its locals. Diseases impacting Barbados impact not just the country’s public health, but also its economy.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Barbados has taken steps to combat these infectious diseases. The ministry engages in public mosquito control and active disease surveillance to prevent/manage outbreaks.

Conclusion

Barbados is currently dealing with both communicable diseases and NCDs. A significant percentage of Barbadians are dealing with obesity. In addition, the country periodically experiences outbreaks of infectious (primarily mosquito-borne) diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These diseases impacting Barbados might adversely affect the country’s health care, economy and quality of life.

However, the government has programs to fight these diseases. The government has instituted a 20% tax on sugary drinks and implemented school programs promoting proper nutrition and physical activity. It also engages in programs such as mosquito control and disease surveillance to fight infectious diseases.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Polio in India: The Impacts of the 2025–2026 GPSAP

Polio in IndiaIndia, in the past, has had a long battle with Polio. Polio mostly affected children in India and the peak was reached in 2000, when 1,600 people were infected, the majority of them children. Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, no matter how many vaccines were created, polio remained a rampant problem in India.

The last known case in India was in Howrah, West Bengal, in 2011. India was officially declared polio-free in 2014 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Polio has affected people in India in both the past and present, with many still living with lifelong complications from the disease, such as paralysis in children.

How It Became a National Issue

Polio in India became widespread due to poor hygiene, including the use of unclean water and limited sanitation infrastructure in rural communities. Contaminated water contributes to unhygienic conditions, often because people live in poverty and environments that harm their health.

Many cannot escape these conditions, surviving on less than $3.25 a day. Statistics show that between 1993 and 2004, India had an average poverty rate of 96.8%, with more than half the population lacking access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.

How the GPSAP 2025-2026 Will Benefit India

Over the past decade, the country has taken many steps to prevent polio from re-emerging as a major issue. These efforts include making vaccines more accessible, reducing poverty rates and improving access to clean water. The Global Polio Surveillance Action Plan (GPSAP) 2025–2026 focuses on timely detection, allowing cases of polio in specific areas of India to be identified immediately. One strategy for eradicating polio involves stool testing. If a potential virus is detected, the goal is to prevent delays in identifying and responding to cases.

The second step of action involves researching gender differences, specifically, how men and women may experience different symptoms of polio and how these differences could affect them or their children. Participants would be divided by gender and age, with men and women separated and children younger and above the age of 15 for testing. Research suggests that men may be at risk of transmitting polio through sexual intercourse. At the same time, women face an increased risk during pregnancy, especially in areas with limited health care access.

If Polio Is Eradicated, Why Take These Measures?

Although polio has been eradicated in India, it has not been eliminated in all countries. Since a virus causes polio, it can spread across borders through contaminated water, saliva or other bodily fluids. The GPSAP 2025–2026 plan is important because it helps ensure that polio does not return to India. If a case does emerge, strict measures will be taken to prevent its reestablishment in the country.

– Erin Lee

Erin is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Saving Kids Lives

mobile vaccination in nigeriaNigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and it has the second-highest number of children who have not received any vaccines in the world. But it’s addressing this problem with mobile vaccination teams. While there is still a long way to go, mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very successful.

What Are Zero-Dose Children?

Children who have not received any vaccinations are referred to as zero-dose children. These children make up a substantial portion of preventable deaths in children worldwide. Most zero-dose children live in lower and middle-income countries.

Globally, “Nigeria has one of the highest proportions of zero-dose children.” In 2021, experts estimated that more than 2.2 million zero-dose children were in the country. The children of teenage and young mothers are particularly likely to be zero-dose children.

There are many reasons parents do not vaccinate their children. The majority of zero-dose children in Nigeria are born to poor families. As a result, they often live in an area where a health center is not readily accessible. Meaning they have to pay for transportation to the health center, something many of them can not afford to do. This need to travel also means that parents must take a day off from work, meaning lost wages.

Another common reason is misinformation about vaccines and their safety. Young mothers face extra challenges, and many avoid traditional health centers due to stigmatization and hostility from other mothers there as well as the health care workers. The social stigma that comes with being a young mother prevents them from returning after their first visit.

Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Working

Several steps make up mobile vaccination in Nigeria. Step one is identifying an area with a high number of zero-dose children. In Nigeria, vaccination of children is “lowest in the north,” according to the New Incentives. This knowledge, together with short surveys of areas, gives decision makers real-time data on the vaccination status of children.

Step two is providing parents with correct information about vaccines and their importance. That includes talking about possible side effects and addressing misinformation about vaccines. The final step is vaccinating the children. All of this requires working with the local communities and their leaders.

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very effective. One study found that thanks to mobile vaccination, six states in Northern Nigeria saw an average increase in fully immunized children aged 12–23 months, from 19% to 55%.

Conclusion

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has been proven to be effective and is saving lives. While there is still more work to do, particularly with the children of young mothers, this is a fantastic start. With continued use of mobile vaccination and strong leadership, Nigeria can help save more lives.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Outbreak of Foot-And-Mouth Disease in South Africa

Foot-And-Mouth Disease in South AfricaThe meat industry is vital to South Africa’s economy and agricultural sector. Karan Beef, the continent’s largest integrated beef producer, is recognized for its halal certifications and strong food safety practices. Recently, all three of its feedlots, among the largest in South Africa, tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, potentially affecting around more than 100,000 cattle. As the country’s leading beef exporter, Karan Beef significantly contributes to the national economy. Its operations support domestic food security, generate thousands of jobs and sustain local businesses.

Foot-And-Mouth Disease in South Africa

Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. It causes fever, painful blisters in the mouth and feet and can lead to severe weight loss and reduced milk production. The virus spreads rapidly through direct contact or contaminated materials.

Due to the outbreak, there has been a pause in production, which has caused price shocks. Authorities have also placed export bans, which have impacted the financial stability of already struggling livelihoods within the beef sector. Karan Beef is in decline, causing a huge economic disruption that is affecting producers and consumers in a country already experiencing financial hardship.

Foot-and-mouth disease is impacting South African livestock, driving up domestic meat prices for consumers and food businesses. This inflation hits low-income households hardest, as they spend a significant portion of their income on groceries. In response, industry stakeholders are urging the government to declare a formal state of disaster to access emergency financial support.

The ongoing quarantine cuts off farmers’ income, often their sole livelihood, while livestock losses push many deeper into poverty. In South African culture, cattle are not only a source of income but also serve as collateral, dowries and emergency assets. This crisis is delivering a severe blow to the meat industry and threatening multiple social and economic stability layers.

Vaccination Program

On June 19, 2025, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced the arrival of the first batch of 900,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccines from Botswana to help stabilize the livestock sector and restore trade flows. A few days later, on June 23, he visited one of Karan Beef’s facilities to launch the feedlot-level vaccination drive. Authorities hope the campaign will contain the outbreak, protect livestock and prevent further economic fallout.

The Future

As foot-and-mouth disease affects South African livestock, the government plans to build long-term local vaccine production in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council. The Department of Agriculture is also working closely with industry stakeholders to coordinate rapid response strategies, strengthen surveillance systems and improve outbreak control measures.

Meanwhile, health agencies are actively importing and distributing these vaccines to the most affected areas. If everything goes according to plan, Karan Beef production should soon be back on track.

– Emily Herlehy

Emily Herlehy is based in Denton, Texas, U.S.A and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Zzapp Malaria Uses AI Technology To Fight Malaria in Africa

Zzapp MalariaEvery year, malaria sickens millions and kills hundreds of thousands worldwide, with most cases concentrated in Africa. In 2023 alone, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and nearly 600,000 deaths, with children aged 5 and less accounting for about 76% of those deaths.

Despite decades of progress, including a 38% reduction in malaria incidence and a 60% drop in mortality from 2000 to 2022, gains have stalled. Challenges such as drug and insecticide resistance, underfunding and changing climatic conditions continue to hamper efforts. As traditional tools fall short, technology to fight malaria is becoming increasingly vital.

AI as a Solution

Malaria has been eliminated in several countries that are able to carry out comprehensive control operations, particularly by targeting mosquito breeding grounds in stagnant water bodies. However, such interventions require significant investment.

To overcome these barriers, innovative initiatives like Zzapp Malaria are using technology to fight malaria. They are transforming control operations with AI and mobile tools to offer scalable, cost-effective solutions to one of Africa’s most persistent public health threats.

How Zzapp Malaria Works

Zzapp Malaria is an Israeli nonprofit startup. It uses AI-driven software to plan and execute malaria control operations, particularly larviciding and house spraying, in low-resource and urban settings across Africa.

Its approach combines several key steps:

  • Planning and mapping. Neural networks analyze satellite images to detect homes, stagnant water areas and breeding hotspots, incorporating climate and topographic data to determine optimal intervention timing.
  • Task allocation. The platform segments areas into grids and assigns them to field workers through its mobile app.
  • Field operations. App-guided teams map, sample and treat water bodies with larvicides or sprays, with real-time data optimizing interventions.
  • Monitoring. The system flags areas with insufficient treatment or high mosquito levels for rapid response.

The app works offline, supports low-end smartphones and uses icons for low-literacy users. It recognizes traditional huts and modern homes and training is simple. For many field workers, using the app is their first digital experience, empowering them with new skills.

Proven Impact and Cost-Effectiveness

  • Obuasi, Ghana. In partnership with the AngloGold Malaria Control Program (AG­AMaL), Zzapp Malaria piloted its system in 2017. A 2018 randomized controlled trial showed app-guided teams detected 28% more breeding sites with more than 90% coverage than standard methods. By 2020, a full-scale operation reduced mosquito populations by 60% in less than four months at $0.20 per person protected, compared to about $5 for traditional spraying.
  • São Tomé and Príncipe. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Zzapp Malaria conducted an eight month-long larviciding operation covering 166,000 people across 240 square kilometers. Results included a 75% reduction in mosquitoes, malaria cases cut by more than half and an average cost of $0.86 per person protected, dropping to $0.44 in urban areas — about twice as cost-effective as bed nets.

Zzapp Malaria remains active in Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe and has expanded to Mozambique, Zanzibar in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya. Its pilots have reached 500,000 people, with expansion agreements aiming for at least five million.

Recent Developments

  • Ghana. In April 2025, The Ghanaian Times reported that AGAMal and Zzapp Malaria’s tools reduced malaria prevalence to about 1% in Obuasi East.
  • Mozambique. Following a successful pilot in Maputo with Mozambique’s National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and Goodbye Malaria, Zzapp Malaria is preparing a nationwide urban rollout.
  • Zanzibar. Drone integration trials are underway, using drone maps and LiDAR to identify breeding sites. Zanzibar’s Ministry of Health has implemented this project as part of the spatial intelligence system funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC).

Why Zzapp Malaria’s Solutions Matter

Despite large global investments, conventional tools often fall short and progress has stalled. Technology to fight malaria, like Zzapp Malaria, enables task-shifting to community health workers while enhancing surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. Its AI-powered mapping, targeted larviciding and drone-assisted detection fill key gaps:

  • Cost-effective interventions. Optimize resources where funding is limited.
  • Complementary strategies. Strengthen existing interventions facing resistance.
  • Enhanced operations. Improve data-driven decision-making in challenging contexts.

Zzapp Malaria exemplifies the transformative potential of technology to fight malaria through digital health solutions:

  • Technology as a solution. AI and drones directly reduce mosquito populations and malaria cases.
  • Scalability and cost-effectiveness. Proven impact at minimal cost.
  • Empowerment. Tools designed for low-literacy, low-infrastructure settings democratize access.
  • Evidence-based results. Peer-reviewed studies and credible media confirm its effectiveness.

In a world where malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year, Zzapp Malaria shows how technology to fight malaria can provide scalable, cost-effective solutions to one of the world’s most persistent health challenges.

– Jacobo L. Esteban

Jacobo is based in Cali, Colombia and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Combating Dengue Fever in Indonesia

Dengue Fever in IndonesiaDengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, causes severe muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and in extreme cases, death. This disease, often simply called dengue, is endemic in Indonesia, where it kills hundreds of people annually. Dengue cases spiked in 2024, forcing Indonesia to address the growing public health issue.

According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, nearly 250,000 Indonesians contracted dengue in 2024. The virus claimed 1,418 lives that year. Despite a swift government response that continues through today, dengue remains a serious public health threat. By examining how Indonesia is combating dengue fever in impoverished communities, we can also learn how to fight it in other countries.

How Dengue Fever Impacts Impoverished Communities in Indonesia

Mosquitoes easily infiltrate the porous, open housing common in Indonesia’s low-income communities, making it easier for dengue to spread. Families in these areas are also more likely to work outdoors, increasing their exposure to mosquitoes, unlike higher-income earners who often work in air-conditioned offices. Although Indonesian law mandates paid sick leave for all workers, including those with dengue, deaths still occur.

For struggling families, the loss of income from illness can be financially devastating and the death of a loved one brings intense emotional pain. Severe dengue cases often come with high out-of-pocket medical costs. When hospitalizations surge, public hospitals, relied on by low-income communities, can become overcrowded. This strains medical staff and reduces their ability to treat other life-threatening conditions, leading to increased deaths even when dengue itself is under control.

What Indonesia Did To Combat Dengue Fever in 2024

  1. Multisource Collaborative Surveillance. This sophisticated system enables public health professionals to collect and analyze diverse data sources. It allows for a more accurate prediction of where disease outbreaks, like dengue fever, may occur. This approach plays a critical role in Indonesia’s efforts to fight dengue, especially in low-income communities.
  2. Wolbachia Mosquito Technology. The government of Indonesia has begun using Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a bacterium that reduces the virus’s ability to replicate. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to achieve zero dengue deaths by 2030.
  3. The 3 Ms Program. The Indonesian government continues to promote this strategy as a practical way for communities to help control the spread of dengue. Citizens are encouraged to drain water containers regularly, cover water storage and recycle items that can collect standing water, which serves as a mosquito breeding ground.
  4. Vaccination. Indonesia has rolled out dengue vaccinations in local schools, targeting children as a key prevention group. Vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways to prevent severe dengue infections. The QDENGA vaccine, used in the country’s efforts, is developed by Takeda, a Japanese biopharmaceutical company with more than 70 years of industry experience.

Summary

Indonesia is tackling dengue fever in low-income communities through advanced technology and community-based solutions. From Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and data-driven surveillance to school vaccinations and the 3 Ms Program, the country targets the virus and the conditions that allow it to spread. Though challenges persist, these efforts offer a practical model for other countries battling dengue.

– Jeff Mathwig

Jeff is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Diseases Impacting South Africa

Diseases Impacting South AfricaIn 2023, data that the World Bank published showed that 55% of South Africans as living below the poverty line. Of those South Africans experiencing poverty, a 2023 national study found these citizens were twice as at risk of the communicable disease HIV. For the southernmost nation on the African continent, existing diseases are separated into two categories: communicable and non-communicable. Despite easy transmission of communicable diseases, 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show that non-communicable diseases account for 51% of all national deaths. With high prevalence rates of both infection varieties among those experiencing poverty, the stifling effects of Apartheid policy remain central within the national struggle to curb diseases impacting South Africa.

Communicable Diseases 

The three most prevalent communicable diseases impacting South Africa are malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Malaria mitigation strategies have been largely successful. In line with the 2021 Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria, WHO found that the number of South Africans at risk dropped to a low 10% of the population that same year. In South Africa, particularly the Kwazulu-Natal district, which contains one of the highest incidence rates of TB around the world, TB impacted 427 of 100,000 people in 2023. Positively, this incidence rate has fallen since 2021, where TB affected 512 per 100,000 citizens.

Following the United Nations (UN) AIDS 95-95-95 target, South Africa has also made promising strides in HIV/AIDS mitigation. Though 2023 figures show that 16.3% of South Africans are living with HIV, screenings and treatment have improved. Striving towards this 95-95-95 UN target, 94% of South Africans living with HIV knew their diagnosis, 79% were receiving treatment and 91% were being virally suppressed in 2021.

Non-Communicable Diseases 

The other half of diseases impacting South Africa are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes. In 2021, the collective incidence rate for these particular NCDs stood at 1,301 per 100,000 people. Obesity, which increases the risk for these NCDs, represents another health indicator impacting South African morbidity. Along with WHO’s other findings, it found that 30.8% of the adult population suffered from obesity in 2022, up from 2021.

Health System

The national healthcare system mainly initiates response to diseases impacting South Africa. The Department of Health’s inadequate health care response is typically pinpointed to policy carried over from the nation’s apartheid era. After the 1994 end to apartheid law, the government faced the ongoing challenge of restructuring the health care system. Despite this, the WHO has projected that 6.2 million citizens should experience universal health coverage by the end of this year. This number represents a steady, sharp increase from 2021 where only 1.8 million retained universal health care access. 

Impact of Poverty 

A 2023 study conducted with support from the South African government articulated that HIV, one of the most nationally prevalent communicable diseases, affects those living in townships twice as severely as those living elsewhere. Townships are South African neighborhoods inhabited primarily by those experiencing poverty. The study found that socioeconomic factors like access to stable housing and quality education do increase the odds of HIV infection and reduce the likelihood of access to testing and care. The researchers recommended a mitigation strategy that includes policy towards improving education and living quality.

Another national study from 2021 asserted that to address the reality of health care inaccessibility due to societal inequities, there needs to be cohesive efforts from multiple actors. The study calls on the necessity of both government and non-state intervention.

Doctors Without Borders

One international organization working diligently against the spread and prevalence of disease in South Africa is Doctors Without Borders (MSF). With the United States currently slashing its funding of South Africa’s TB and HIV/AIDS research programs, MSF has been vital in calling upon international donors, organizations and philanthropists to direct funds towards these life-saving research initiatives. Actors like the South African Department of Health and MSF rely on these funds to help develop promising vaccines and treatments for those experiencing these diseases impacting South Africa.

In addition to MSF’s TB and HIV/AIDS research, where funding is unsteady, it recently introduced a new project aimed at addressing South African NCDs. In collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Health, MSF has been training health care organizations across the Eastern Cape province of Butterworth. Reaching more than 1,500 people within the region, the project has increased the screening and medical management of NCDs like diabetes and hypertension.

Progress

Though funding cuts from the United States have caused uncertainty about the future of national research and mitigation response, strides in health care coverage and the involvement of organizations like the MSF are promising for the future of eliminating the diseases impacting South Africa. National initiatives for screening and improvements in treatment technologies have greatly improved and have been key in addressing and reducing incidence rates, particularly for the highly prevalent TB. In 2019 alone, testing for TB caused a 28% reduction in incidence.

With organizations and donors allocating funds towards national efforts to fight disease, South Africa will further mitigate the spread and prevalence of such harmful illnesses, particularly for those living in poverty.

– Piper Aweeka

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Schistosomiasis in Angola: A Local Strategy With Global Impact

Schistosomiasis in Angola: A Local Strategy With Global ImpactSchistosomiasis in Angola continues to pose a major threat to public health- especially for school-aged children in rural, water-reliant communities. Caused by parasitic worms that infect humans through contact with contaminated freshwater, schistosomiasis can lead to fatigue, anemia and developmental delays. With more than 90% of districts at risk, Angola faces one of the highest burdens of this neglected tropical disease (NTD) in sub-Saharan Africa.

To combat this issue, Angola’s Ministry of Health, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as The MENTOR Initiative, has implemented an innovative, school-based response. These campaigns provide mass deworming treatments using praziquantel, reinforce hygiene education and promote access to clean water and sanitation. This integrative model not only lowers infection rates but also improves school attendance and overall child development.

Understanding the Disease Burden

“Children are especially vulnerable as they play in the water and often don’t understand the risks,” a local health worker based in the Huila, Huambo and Zaire provinces told The Borgen Project in an interview. “We saw many children with swollen bellies and constant fatigue. Now, after regular deworming and hygiene education, those symptoms are much less common.”

Schistosomiasis in Angola has long plagued rural Angola, where many communities depend on rivers and lakes for everyday activities such as bathing, washing and even drinking. According to WHO, chronic schistosomiasis can lead to liver and kidney damage, cognitive delays and an increased risk of school absenteeism. Recent mapping by The MENTOR Initiative reveals a troubling overlap between schistosomiasis and other parasitic infections like soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). This dual burden is particularly pronounced in Angola’s south-central provinces, where more than 70% of school-aged children are at risk.

School-Based Campaigns: A Scalable Solution

Angola’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, has responded with mass deworming campaigns centered around schools. “We coordinate with teachers and school staff,” the health worker explained. “They help us organize the children and explain the treatment to them in simple terms.” Parents are also engaged through community meetings, which help build trust and transparency around the medication process. These campaigns utilize praziquantel, the WHO-recommended drug for schistosomiasis treatment. In addition to being safe and affordable, praziquantel is effective with a single dose and is ideally suited for distribution in school settings.

According to a six‑year impact assessment of Angola’s school‑based deworming program, schistosomiasis monitoring covered nearly 600 schools between 2015 and 2021, revealing persistent transmission in multiple provinces. As a result, soil-transmitted helminth-endemic regions received deworming treatments, hygiene supplies and health education. These combined efforts have led to improved child health outcomes and increased school participation. Studies show that deworming enhances children’s physical well-being and “It’s not just about treating the disease, it’s about giving these kids a better chance at life”, the local source tells The Borgen Project.

Hygiene Education and Infrastructure

The success of deworming programs in Angola depends on an integrated approach. Medication alone cannot stop the cycle of reinfection, especially in rural areas where poor sanitation and limited access to clean water drive continued transmission. To address this, school-based campaigns include hygiene education that teaches students proper handwashing, safe defecation and how to avoid contaminated water. Schools also act as community hubs, spreading these practices to families. Some schools receive additional support through partnerships with NGOs and government agencies, gaining improved facilities like latrines, handwashing stations and water filtration systems.

WHO highlights that combining water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures with deworming efforts can reduce transmission by more than 75%. This underscores the importance of holistic strategies for lasting impact.

Data-Driven Targeting

Disease mapping has played a critical role in Angola’s national response to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). In collaboration with Angola’s Ministry of Health, the MENTOR Initiative conducted large-scale parasitological surveys across all 18 provinces. These surveys, involving more than 1.6 million school-aged children, used stool and urine sampling along with geospatial tools to determine prevalence rates and identify high-risk transmission zones.

The mapping results allowed for the strategic targeting of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, ensuring that treatment was concentrated in areas with the highest disease burden. By using prevalence thresholds recommended by WHO, Angola was able to tailor the frequency and intensity of treatment to the needs of each province. In addition to guiding the delivery of preventive chemotherapy, the data also support long-term monitoring, policy decision-making and evaluation of program impact.

Challenges and Local Resilience

Despite efforts, schistosomiasis in Angola continues to face several operational and infrastructural challenges. Limited access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities in many rural areas contributes to persistent reinfection rates. Even with periodic MDA, the lack of improved WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) infrastructure undermines sustained disease control.

The program is also constrained by logistical difficulties such as inconsistent medicine supply chains and a shortage of trained personnel for implementation and monitoring. Regardless, integration of the deworming program into the existing school-based health system has helped optimize outreach and reduce costs. Capacity-building initiatives for local staff, as well as coordination with multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and international partners, have strengthened the program’s delivery and laid the foundation for more sustainable control efforts.

A Model Grounded in Elimination, Not Just Control

Angola’s approach mirrors a growing call in public health to shift from reactive control toward proactive elimination of schistosomiasis. As emphasized in Frontiers in Public Health, long-term success requires more than drug distribution; it depends on a systems-thinking model that integrates treatment with behavioral change, hygiene, snail control and environmental improvements.

By using schools as delivery platforms, Angola addresses multiple layers of disease transmission- medical, educational and ecological. This multifaceted approach offers a replicable blueprint for other countries. “The key is to involve the community and combine treatment with education and clean water,” the local health worker explained. “It’s not enough to give medicine- you have to change the environment and the habits. Angola’s model is working here and I believe it can help others, too.”

Health, Education and Hope

The integrated approach to fighting schistosomiasis in Angola demonstrates how local solutions, when grounded in data, education and community engagement, can spark meaningful change. With continued investment in health systems and infrastructure, the country is not just treating a disease but empowering a generation of children to learn, grow and thrive.

– Vasara Mikulevicius

Vasara is based in West Bloomfield, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Ethiopia

Diseases Impacting EthiopiaEthiopia is a country in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is home to 126 million people. It is the second most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria. Ethiopia is known for being the cradle of humanity. However, many different diseases are impacting Ethiopia, which have made the lives of its citizens difficult.

Neglected Tropical Diseases

Millions of Ethiopians are at risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs are a group of diseases primarily caused by pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites). Ethiopia has Africa’s third-largest number of NTDs, behind Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Similarly, Ethiopia has the highest number of cases of diseases such as trachoma, podoconiosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis in all of sub-Saharan Africa. It has the second highest number of cases involving ascariasis, leprosy and visceral leishmaniasis. And it has the third highest number of cases involving hookworms.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are also prevalent across Ethiopia. The most common contagious diseases in Ethiopia are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia stands at around 1.5%. While this is lower than Africa’s average, it’s still higher than the global average (0.7%).

The prevalence of malaria in the country is about 0.39% to 1.1%. Research showed that population density was a standard variable in the spread of all three infectious diseases. Low urbanity and low population density correlate with a lower risk for contagious diseases.

Government Efforts

Ethiopia is still a developing country. About 68.7% of Ethiopians suffer from multidimensional poverty and a further 18% are at risk of doing so. Impoverished people are the most vulnerable to NTDs. Those living in extreme poverty lack access to proper health care and basic health services. They also live in areas where vectors of infectious diseases thrive.

However, the Ethiopian government has taken active steps to combat both NTDs and other infectious diseases. In 1999, the country developed a national plan to address onchocerciasis. The Ministry of Health established the National Onchocerciasis Task Force the following year. This task force focused on mobilizing and educating affected communities and distributing Mectizan tablets to help control the disease.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health also established the National Dracunculiasis Eradication Program in 1993. In collaboration with The Carter Center, Ethiopia launched a national program to combat lymphatic filariasis. Additionally, the country has implemented several programs and strategies targeting other neglected tropical diseases, including podoconiosis, soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and leprosy.

Conclusion

Ethiopia continues to struggle with the burden of infectious and noninfectious tropical diseases, which disproportionately affect its underserved communities. While the challenges are significant, the country’s proactive health initiatives and partnerships offer hope. Sustained investment in public health, education and poverty reduction is essential to combat the diseases impacting Ethiopia and improve health outcomes for millions.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons