This week, Africa is facing a mixed health situation. Namibia has declared an end to its mpox outbreak, while Madagascar is reporting rising case counts. Nigeria is grappling with a seasonal surge in Lassa fever. The World Health Organization has raised fresh concerns about the growing burden of oral diseases across the continent. Elsewhere, Senegal is confronting a critical shortage of pediatric nephrologists, Togo has launched a national polio vaccination drive, UNAIDS is calling for accelerated HIV efforts across West and Central Africa, and Africa CDC and the ECDC have formalized a new health security partnership.

Africa: 42% of the population suffers from oral diseases

The World Health Organization is warning of high rates of oral disease across Africa, saying around 42% of the continent's population is affected.

Untreated cavities and periodontal disease lead to complications and a diminished quality of life. The problem is worsened by a shortage of dentists and the high cost of specialized care.

The WHO recommends integrating oral health more fully into primary healthcare programs and promoting good oral hygiene from an early age. Rising consumption of processed sugars is also contributing to the spread of these conditions.

Senegal: shortage of pediatric nephrologists

Around 774,000 people in Senegal suffer from kidney disease. Against that backdrop, treatment of pediatric kidney disease remains limited by a shortage of specialists. The country currently has only three active pediatric nephrologists nationwide, according to Professor Younoussa Keita, head of the pediatric nephrology unit at Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar.

On the eve of World Kidney Day, the specialist warned that the shortage is creating major difficulties, particularly outside major cities. Two junior doctors are currently in training, which should help increase specialist capacity in the country.

The situation remains especially difficult for children requiring dialysis. To date, no child in Senegal has received a kidney transplant.

Pediatric kidney diseases are often linked to several factors, including streptococcal infections, malaria, urinary tract infections, dehydration and diarrhea. Hypertension and diabetes are the main risk factors.

Experts recommend strengthening prevention and early screening at health centers to slow disease progression before it reaches the stage requiring dialysis.

Africa CDC and ECDC sign a health security pact

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen global health security. Signed on March 9, the partnership includes collaboration on disease surveillance, risk assessment and coordinated responses to cross-border health threats. Priority areas include antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases and emerging infectious diseases. The agreement comes as Africa faces an estimated shortfall of 6.1 million healthcare workers by 2030.

HIV/AIDS: West and Central Africa makes progress, but challenges persist

West and Central Africa has made gains in the fight against HIV but remains behind the global targets set for 2030, according to UNAIDS.

In 2024, around 81% of people living with HIV knew their HIV status, 76% had access to antiretroviral treatment and 70% had a suppressed viral load.

Between 2010 and 2024, new infections fell by 55% and AIDS-related deaths by 60%. Despite those advances, the epidemic remains active. In 2024, it claimed 124,000 lives in the region.

Inequalities in access to prevention, testing and treatment continue to hold back progress.

Namibia: official end to mpox and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreaks

Namibia has officially declared an end to its outbreaks of mpox and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, according to a statement published earlier this month by the health ministry. The announcement follows several weeks without a confirmed new transmission.

In the Swakopmund district, three mpox cases had been recorded after the first case was detected on Oct. 18, 2025. All patients recovered and no deaths were reported. In line with WHO guidelines, the outbreak was declared over after 90 days with no new cases.

In the Omaheke region, a single case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever had been confirmed in November 2025. According to the Ministry of Health, no further cases were reported during the surveillance period. Authorities credit the result to enhanced surveillance, contact tracing and community awareness campaigns.

Madagascar: resurgence of mpox cases

Madagascar, by contrast, is facing a rise in new mpox cases amid ongoing virus transmission. Infections have been reported in 27 of the country's 114 health districts. Clade 1b has been identified in sequenced samples, according to Outbreak News Today.

Malagasy authorities, with the support of international partners, are intensifying contact tracing to stop community transmission. The spread of cases is, however, complicating response efforts in some remote areas.

Since the start of 2026, more than 9,000 mpox cases have been reported across Africa, of which 1,480 have been laboratory-confirmed in 22 African Union member states. A total of 53 deaths have been recorded.

Nigeria: seasonal surge in Lassa fever

In West Africa, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reports a significant rise in Lassa fever cases, a cyclical trend observed during the dry season.

In the first two months of 2026, cases were reported in 18 states and 67 local government areas. Five states account for 84% of confirmed cases: Bauchi (30%), Ondo (21%), Taraba (19%), Edo (8%) and Benue (6%).

By the eighth epidemiological week of 2026, 99 deaths had been recorded, with a case fatality rate of 24.5%, higher than the 18.8% recorded over the same period in 2025.

Transmitted by rodents, the viral hemorrhagic fever continues to pose a major public health risk. Authorities have activated emergency operations centers to coordinate the response and reinforce public awareness around food hygiene.

Togo: national polio vaccination campaign

Togo is launching a national polio vaccination campaign organized in two phases: March 12-14, followed by April 16–18, 2026. The drive aims to vaccinate 1.8 million children under five to prevent any resurgence of polio, including vaccine-derived strains.

The strategy relies on door-to-door outreach to reach the most isolated areas. For health authorities, the goal is to preserve the country's polio-free status as the virus continues to circulate in the region.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi