Why are health experts worried about other infectious disease outbreaks right now?
Why are health experts worried about other infectious disease outbreaks right now?
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The renewed focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and its heavy toll has worried health experts about other infectious disease programs in low- and middle-income countries, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets in sub-Saharan Africa or routine vaccination programs in India. A new modeling analysis released by the World Health Organization shows that disruptions to bednet distribution campaigns could double the number of malaria deaths in 2020 compared to the amount of deaths in 2018 (in the worst case scenario). Health experts are warning that existing vaccination programs or other vector control programs (such as indoor spraying or insecticide-treated bednet distribution campaigns) should be accelerated to prevent other infectious disease outbreaks, even as resources are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The renewed focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and its heavy toll has worried health experts about other infectious disease programs in low- and middle-income countries, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets in sub-Saharan Africa or routine vaccination programs in India. A new modeling analysis released by the World Health Organization shows that disruptions to bednet distribution campaigns could double the number of malaria deaths in 2020 compared to the amount of deaths in 2018 (in the worst case scenario). Health experts are warning that existing vaccination programs or other vector control programs (such as indoor spraying or insecticide-treated bednet distribution campaigns) should be accelerated to prevent other infectious disease outbreaks, even as resources are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publication
What our experts say
The renewed focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and its heavy toll has worried health experts about other infectious disease programs in low- and middle-income countries, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets in sub-Saharan Africa or routine vaccination programs in India. A new modeling analysis released by the World Health Organization shows that disruptions to bednet distribution campaigns could double the number of malaria deaths in 2020 compared to the amount of deaths in 2018 (in the worst case scenario). Health experts are warning that existing vaccination programs or other vector control programs (such as indoor spraying or insecticide-treated bednet distribution campaigns) should be accelerated to prevent other infectious disease outbreaks, even as resources are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The renewed focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and its heavy toll has worried health experts about other infectious disease programs in low- and middle-income countries, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets in sub-Saharan Africa or routine vaccination programs in India. A new modeling analysis released by the World Health Organization shows that disruptions to bednet distribution campaigns could double the number of malaria deaths in 2020 compared to the amount of deaths in 2018 (in the worst case scenario). Health experts are warning that existing vaccination programs or other vector control programs (such as indoor spraying or insecticide-treated bednet distribution campaigns) should be accelerated to prevent other infectious disease outbreaks, even as resources are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Context and background
The World Health Organization has noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resilience of other robust health programs that tackle infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, or polio. Vaccine programs in lower-and-middle-income countries are at risk of being disrupted by the shift in resources toward COVID-19 response.
The World Health Organization has noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resilience of other robust health programs that tackle infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, or polio. Vaccine programs in lower-and-middle-income countries are at risk of being disrupted by the shift in resources toward COVID-19 response.
Resources
- WHO urges countries to move quickly to save lives from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO)
- WHO urges countries to move quickly to save lives from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO)
