In a recent development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially requested detailed information from China regarding the surge in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children. Chinese authorities had earlier attributed the rise to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of pathogens like influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2.

Reported on November 21, media and ProMED highlighted undiagnosed pneumonia clusters in northern China, raising concerns about their connection to the previously reported respiratory infections. On November 22, WHO called for additional epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data through the International Health Regulations mechanism to assess the situation.

As northern China reports an upswing in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October, WHO emphasizes preventive measures, including vaccination, maintaining distance from the ill, staying home when sick, testing when necessary, mask-wearing, ensuring good ventilation, and regular hand hygiene. Updates will follow as WHO continues to monitor the situation closely.

In a bid to address the dynamic landscape of synthetic biology and emerging biotechnologies, Lagos State launched the ninth African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity at the Radisson Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island. Professor Akin Abayomi, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, alongside partners from the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment (GET) Consortium, inaugurated the event, which has been a fixture for nine years since the 2014 and 2015 Ebola outbreaks.

Focusing on synthetic biology, a rapidly evolving field with transformative potential, the conference delves into its promising benefits for humanity while highlighting potential misuse and threats. Professor Abayomi stressed the dual nature of synthetic biology, emphasizing the necessity for heightened awareness and regulation to harness its potential responsibly.

Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, underlined the importance of informed decisions for policy-making, advocating collaborative efforts to safeguard citizens. Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, the Chief Operating Officer of GET Consortium, highlighted the urgency of addressing emerging biosecurity threats, citing recent occurrences of diseases like Lassa fever, COVID-19, and Ebola.

The conference seeks to explore the prospects of biotechnologies like synthetic biology and gene editing while navigating associated risks. It serves as a platform for stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to deliberate on strategic guidelines for Nigeria’s prudent engagement in these domains, aligning with Lagos State’s proactive measures to counter biosecurity threats.

As the conference unfolds, participants aim to shape a safer, more secure future amidst evolving biosecurity challenges.

In a groundbreaking development, shipments of the world’s first WHO-recommended malaria vaccine, RTS, S, have commenced, with 331,200 doses landing in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This marks a significant step towards expanding vaccination efforts against one of the deadliest diseases for African children.

Malaria’s impact is most severe in Africa, contributing to 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of related deaths in 2021. The arrival of these doses in Cameroon heralds the shift from the malaria vaccine’s pilot phase to broader implementation across high-risk areas on the continent.

In the coming weeks, an additional 1.7 million doses are set for delivery to Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone, emphasising the momentum towards wider vaccine distribution. These shipments lay the groundwork for countries to integrate malaria vaccination into routine immunization programmes by the first quarter of 2024.

While malaria vaccines are not a standalone solution, the potential to save thousands of lives each year is a promising outcome of these efforts. The comprehensive approach includes insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, preventive treatment, antimalarials, effective case management, and treatment. The success of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, with a remarkable 13% drop in all-cause mortality among vaccinated children, provides a glimpse of the positive impact of widespread vaccination.

The availability of two malaria vaccines, including R21 currently under WHO review, is expected to meet the high demand from African countries, offering life-saving protection to millions of children at risk of malaria. As these critical steps are taken to combat the disease, stakeholders and governments remain committed to strengthening non-vaccine interventions to maximize the impact of these life-saving measures.

The arrival of the malaria vaccine in new countries across Africa is viewed as a game-changer in the fight against malaria, providing hope and progress in the battle against this pervasive and deadly disease.