This week’s health headlines in Africa highlight Kenya’s severe drought and a spike in typhoid cases in the DRC. As clinical trials for mpox and Lassa fever move forward, local health systems remain strained. Additionally, the WHO is pushing for stricter taxes on unhealthy goods, while South Africa ramps up efforts to curb foot-and-mouth disease to safeguard its farming industry

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that current tax policies are not strong enough to curb the health harms linked to sugary drinks and alcohol. In a recent statement, the agency said rising affordability is driving obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and violence.

While 116 countries tax sugary drinks, the WHO said many high-sugar products are not covered by existing rules. For alcohol, taxes in most countries have not kept pace with inflation, making these products cheaper in real terms. The global median excise tax stands at 14% for beer and 22.5% for spirits.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for major tax reforms to reduce harmful consumption and raise revenue for health systems. A global initiative aims to increase the real prices of these products by 2035, a move the agency said is backed by a majority of public opinion in several countries.

Clinical research accelerates as Africa records over 61,000 mpox cases

Africa has recorded more than 61,000 mpox cases and nearly 300 deaths in 32 countries since the start of 2024. In response, a continent-wide clinical trial called MOSA is evaluating treatment options, as there is no specific antiviral therapy.

Launched in 2024, the study uses a randomized, double-blind protocol. After enrolling 50 patients, an independent committee recommended that the trial continue, citing no safety concerns. Initially focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo, the research is expected to expand to other countries, including Uganda.

Oxford University begins first human trial for Lassa fever vaccine

In the latest step in efforts to fight Lassa fever, the University of Oxford has launched a Phase 1 trial of a vaccine candidate, the first human trial for the disease.

Nigeria has reported more than 900 confirmed cases and about 170 deaths so far in 2026. The vaccine candidate, based on the ChAdOx1 platform, was first administered to a healthy volunteer in the United Kingdom.

Even as festivities and regular activities continued nationwide, routine monitoring in health facilities revealed that Lassa fever remains a health concern.

Between 22nd – 28th December 2025 (Epi Week 52), 27 new cases were confirmed across five states, with 9 reported deaths.… pic.twitter.com/ZlY516uOOc

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) January 14, 2026

Backed by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the trial is primarily assessing the vaccine’s safety and its ability to trigger an immune response. Thirty-one volunteers are taking part in this first phase. An extension is planned in Ghana to conduct the study closer to areas where the disease is endemic.

Beyond the trial, investments are also aimed at strengthening clinical and diagnostic capacity in Nigeria and across the region. Hundreds of healthcare workers have been trained and several hospitals equipped to improve patient care and surveillance. Ultimately, this infrastructure could strengthen regional health resilience against recurring outbreaks.

Severe drought pushes millions in Kenya into food insecurity

Between 2.1 million and 2.5 million people in Kenya are facing food insecurity after a severe drought that began late last year. Authorities said most regions received only 30% to 60% of average rainfall, leading to the driest season since 1981 in parts of eastern Kenya.

The situation is affecting 23 counties, with nine in the alert phase and Mandera in the critical phase.

Pastoral areas have been hit particularly hard by rapidly deteriorating pastures, falling livestock productivity and increased displacement in search of water, raising the risk of local tensions.

Authorities estimate that needs for food, nutrition, water and health assistance will remain high until at least the first half of 2026. Emergency operations have been stepped up, including food distributions, water deliveries and support for livestock. Calls are also growing for the government to declare the drought a national disaster.

Typhoid fever outbreak reported in Kwango, DRC

An outbreak of typhoid fever is ongoing in the Popokabaka territory of Kwango province in the central-western Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Outbreak News Today. More than 350 cases have been reported, including 44 intestinal perforations and 11 deaths. Twelve of the 30 local health zones are already affected.

Local authorities have warned of the scale of the outbreak and are calling for urgent shipments of medicines and specialist teams. The crisis comes amid chronic weaknesses in rural health services, including limited access to clean water, sanitation and appropriate care.

Typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and water and remains a major cause of illness in areas with weak healthcare access. Globally, it causes about 9 million cases and 110,000 deaths each year.

South Africa to import vaccines to contain foot-and-mouth disease

South Africa has decided to import vaccines from Argentina, Turkey and Botswana to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that is hitting the meat and dairy industries. The government has set aside 1.8 billion rand ($109 million) to buy vaccines through April 2026.

South Africa lost its disease-free status in 2019 after local production problems. Authorities estimate trade losses linked to the disease at about 5 billion rand over one year. National vaccine production is expected to resume gradually.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral animal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, posing a major threat to the livestock sector.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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