From Seattletimes · · 1m 10s
West African scientists warn of weakening health systems
West African scientists urge stronger outbreak detection to prevent future epidemics.
In brief
West African scientists urge stronger outbreak detection to prevent future epidemics. West African scientists warn health systems are weakening and call for improved outbreak detection to avoid another major epidemic. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
West African lab scientists warn
West African laboratory scientists called on governments to strengthen disease outbreak detection capacity to avoid another major outbreak.
Regional health systems weakening
Health systems across West Africa are becoming weaker, with scientists citing lessons from Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Ebola outbreak impact
Between 2014 and 2016, an Ebola outbreak killed at least 11,000 people across West Africa, overwhelmingly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Kossi Kabo's warning
Kossi Kabo, head of the Association of Medical Biologists of Togo, urged anticipating outbreaks before they emerge to avoid delayed responses.
“We need to anticipate these outbreaks. We shouldn’t wait for an epidemic to emerge somewhere before responding. By then, it would be too late.”
Bundibugyo virus outbreak
The Bundibugyo virus has killed over 3,600 people among nearly 7,500 cases in Congo since mid-May, with the outbreak spreading undetected for weeks.
Health system maintenance concerns
Scientists warn that without major outbreaks, health systems have weakened, leaving them unprepared for future epidemics.
The takeaway
West African scientists warn health systems are weakening and call for improved outbreak detection to avoid another major epidemic.
