Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the development of a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ten months after the onset of the pandemic, America and Europe remain the most affected regions. Initially, experts predicted that...

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Main Authors: Daryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua, Aurel Tiakouang Tankeu, Dominic Leandry Wouna Angong, Batakeh Ba Agoons, Nathan Yves Yanwou Nguemnang, Hugues Clotaire Nana Djeunga, Joseph Kamgno
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Pan African Medical Journal 2020-12-01
Series:The Pan African Medical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access: https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/37/352/pdf/352.pdf
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author Daryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua
Aurel Tiakouang Tankeu
Dominic Leandry Wouna Angong
Batakeh Ba Agoons
Nathan Yves Yanwou Nguemnang
Hugues Clotaire Nana Djeunga
Joseph Kamgno
author_facet Daryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua
Aurel Tiakouang Tankeu
Dominic Leandry Wouna Angong
Batakeh Ba Agoons
Nathan Yves Yanwou Nguemnang
Hugues Clotaire Nana Djeunga
Joseph Kamgno
author_sort Daryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua
collection DOAJ
description The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the development of a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ten months after the onset of the pandemic, America and Europe remain the most affected regions. Initially, experts predicted that Africa, the poorest continent with the most vulnerable population and health system, would be greatly affected by the ongoing outbreak. However, 240days after the first confirmed case, Africa is among the least affected region, withlower than expectedincident cases and mortality. In this review, we discuss possible explanations and reasons for this unexpected low burden of COVID-19 in Africa. We focus on the characteristics of the virus, specificities of the sub-Saharan African population and local environment.
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spelling doaj.art-2bc5f0063d8746649e1b667c5dd63c332022-12-21T20:03:08ZengThe Pan African Medical JournalThe Pan African Medical Journal1937-86881937-86882020-12-013735210.11604/pamj.2020.37.352.2525425254Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectivesDaryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua0Aurel Tiakouang Tankeu1Dominic Leandry Wouna Angong2Batakeh Ba Agoons3Nathan Yves Yanwou Nguemnang4Hugues Clotaire Nana Djeunga5Joseph Kamgno6 Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical and Paramedical Sciences, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon Public Health Department, Faculty of Medical and Paramedical Sciences, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France Centre for Research on Filariasis and Other Tropical Diseases, Yaoundé, Cameroon Centre for Research on Filariasis and Other Tropical Diseases, Yaoundé, Cameroon The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the development of a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ten months after the onset of the pandemic, America and Europe remain the most affected regions. Initially, experts predicted that Africa, the poorest continent with the most vulnerable population and health system, would be greatly affected by the ongoing outbreak. However, 240days after the first confirmed case, Africa is among the least affected region, withlower than expectedincident cases and mortality. In this review, we discuss possible explanations and reasons for this unexpected low burden of COVID-19 in Africa. We focus on the characteristics of the virus, specificities of the sub-Saharan African population and local environment. https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/37/352/pdf/352.pdf severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2covid-19sub saharan africaburdenexplanationsreasons
spellingShingle Daryl Nzokou Tcheutchoua
Aurel Tiakouang Tankeu
Dominic Leandry Wouna Angong
Batakeh Ba Agoons
Nathan Yves Yanwou Nguemnang
Hugues Clotaire Nana Djeunga
Joseph Kamgno
Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
The Pan African Medical Journal
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
covid-19
sub saharan africa
burden
explanations
reasons
title Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
title_full Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
title_fullStr Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
title_short Unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in sub-Saharan Africa region despite disastrous predictions: reasons and perspectives
title_sort unexpected low burden of coronavirus disease 2019 covid 19 in sub saharan africa region despite disastrous predictions reasons and perspectives
topic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
covid-19
sub saharan africa
burden
explanations
reasons
url https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/37/352/pdf/352.pdf
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