Viral infections amidst COVID-19 in Africa: Implications and recommendations

J Med Virol. 2021 Dec;93(12):6798-6802. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27211. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Abstract

Viral infections have been on the rise for the past decades. The impact of the viruses worsened amidst the pandemic burdening the already overwhelmed health care system in African countries. This article sheds light on how the coronavirus together with the already existing viral infections, some of which re-emerged, impacted the continent. The strategies in place such as immunization, education, will have to be strengthened in all African countries to reduce the burden. Furthermore, governments can further collaborate with other countries in creating guidelines to reduce co-infection of the diseases.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; immunization; viral infections.

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / enzymology*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / virology*
  • Coinfection / epidemiology*
  • Coinfection / immunology
  • Coinfection / virology*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / virology