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Background/introduction: On the 13th of December 2022, a 5-year-old girl from Karnataka, India, tested positive for Zika virus. The first Zika virus was isolated from the serum of a rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. Zika virus was largely dormant for about 70 years before suddenly resurfacing across all of America, from Brazil to the Pacific Islands and is connected to a grouping of microcephaly phenotypes based on a complete virus genome analysis. All of the aforementioned research provides an overview of the migration of this virus from the Americas to continental Africa via mosquitoes. The current study, therefore, aims to evaluate the virologic characteristics, prophylaxis, transmitting mechanisms, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of ZIKV infection in light of the virus's widespread dissemination and deadly nature. Aim: The investigation's findings aim to demonstrate that in order to prevent further outbreaks, there is a national requirement for active epidemiological and entomological observation of Zika. Materials and methods: Data were extracted from academic journals of medicine published in MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Ovid, and Embase inventory databases with a predetermined search strategy. Articles considering the Zika virus and its clinical manifestations, especially neurological, were included. Results: The Zika virus has been declared a public health emergency of global significance by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is of alarming concern that it is now one of the most prevalent infectious diseases associated with birth abnormalities discovered in the past five decades. The onset and accelerated spread of disease to other parts of the world is attributed to the migration of infected hosts and climate change. Rapid laboratory diagnosis, evaluation of serological techniques, and virus isolation are urgently needed, along with newer modalities such as mathematical modeling as prediction devices to curb this issue. Due to its grave neurological manifestations, it is mandated to engineer peptide therapies and a virus-specific vaccination to treat this neurotropic virus. Conclusion: There is currently no vaccination against Zika virus infection. If societies are not adequately prepared, the epidemiological wave will have an impact on the workforce and could pose a serious threat. To alleviate the significant cost on health systems and manage its promotion globally, improved investigation and response activities are needed.
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The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uganda declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak on 20th September 2022 after a patient infected with the rare Sudan strain of Ebola virus (EBV) died in the Mubende district. Since the year 2000, several outbreaks of the EVD from the Sudan strain have been reported in Uganda and it has been more than a decade since the last case of EVD (Sudan strain) was reported in the country. EVD is a severe, often fatal illness that affects humans and other primates and presents with varied neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. This article has explored various efforts by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uganda to coordinate outbreak preparedness and response. Certain recommendations have been made to individuals and the government for early management and prevention of the EVD. Further emphasis has been also laid on effective isolation, triage, and screening of symptomatic patients.
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INTRODUCTION: The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has long affected millions of individuals across the globe. Historically, the prevalence of this disease is particularly noted within the African continent. Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many African countries struggled to effectively manage the increasing burden associated with HIV/AIDS. There is now a need to reassess this in a COVID-19 pandemic context so that the impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS healthcare within Africa can be adequately evaluated. METHODS: Data collection was performed on the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Embase bibliographical databases with a predefined search strategy. Searches were performed in blind duplicate and all articles considering COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS within African healthcare were considered. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely exacerbated the many issues surrounding HIV/AIDS care within many African countries. These impacts are noticeable in medical, psychological, and socio-political contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Before efforts are made to improve the provision of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 care within Africa, it is important that this issue is brought to the attention of the scientific and clinical community so that the continent can receive the necessary support and aid.
