Chad's first dengue outbreak: what you should know

Report from EconoTimes - https://www.econotimes.com/

By Dr. Eunice Anyango Owino*

Dated Monday, 30 October 2023, 10:56 AM UTC - here is a copy in full:

Chad's first dengue fever outbreak: what you should know

Chad has reported its first dengue outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The country’s health ministry declared an outbreak on 15 August and so far 1,342 suspected cases have been reported, 41 of them confirmed in the laboratory. One death was reported among the patients with lab-confirmed cases. The outbreak started in Ouaddaï province in eastern Chad, currently the outbreak epicentre. Illnesses have also been reported in three other provinces. Godfred Akoto Boafo spoke to medical entomologist Eunice Anyango Owino about the disease.

Mosquitoes are the primary medium for contracting dengue. Oregon State University/Flickr

What causes dengue fever and how does it affect people?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by one of the four dengue virus serotypes. It is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and to a lesser extent the Aedes albopictus mosquito, mainly in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world.

Infection with one serotype provides long-term immunity to that particular serotype, but not the others. That means that, after recovery, a person can still be infected by the other three serotypes. Serotypes are groups within a single species of microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, which share distinctive surface structures.

Most infections produce only mild flu-like illness; 80% of cases are asymptomatic. But getting infected with different serotypes one after the other puts a person at a greater risk of severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. It is characterised by serious internal bleeding and organ damage, and a sudden drop in blood pressure that causes shock which can be fatal.

How widespread is it in the Sahel? Why is this first outbreak in Chad significant?

Dengue fever has been endemic in Sudan, with outbreaks documented in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. Unfortunately, due to years of political and civil conflicts, the control and response capacity of the public health sector in Sudan has been limited.

The risk of spread in the Sahel region, which includes Niger, Mali and Chad, has always been high. This is because these countries all host the suitable mosquito vectors (Aedes). They also share the same tropical climate with seasonal heavy rains and floods.

To add to the problem, countries like Chad are grappling with a massive influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan who might be carrying the disease. The epicentre of the current outbreak, the province of Ouaddai at the eastern border with Sudan, hosts more than 400,000 refugees.

The cities at the border with Sudan are densely populated and have poor sanitation. This provides a favourable environment for the vectors to breed.

In addition, Chad lacks effective disease control programmes. This is its first dengue outbreak. It doesn’t have the necessary public health preparedness and response capacities. So the risk posed by this outbreak is high.

The movement of the returning refugees has the potential to spread the outbreak in Chad and even across the border to other countries in the Sahel, the rest of Africa, and the world at large.

What treatment is available?

There’s currently no available treatment for dengue in the world. Timely detection and case management, especially treatment of dehydration and plasma leakage by oral or intravenous rehydration, are key in preventing severe illness and death.

There is an approved dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) for use in people aged 9-45 years. But for it to be effective they must have had one infection of dengue by any of the four serotype viruses, which must be confirmed by a laboratory test.

The vaccine is given in three doses within 12 months and protects against all the four dengue virus serotypes with an efficacy of 80%. However, its availability in developing countries in Africa isn’t assured, although it has been licensed by several national regulatory authorities.

Apart from the vaccine, the only other guard against dengue fever is prevention of mosquito bites and vector control.

What is the way forward in controlling the disease?

More investment should be put on expanding clinical and laboratory capabilities to deal with the disease. 

Given that this is Chad’s first outbreak, it needs to:

• put in place standard operating procedures for clinical management of suspected and confirmed dengue cases

• expand the capacity for early detection of cases – this could be done by procurement of rapid diagnostic tests and by alerting communities

• strengthen disease surveillance and coordinate the response by actively finding cases. Cases within the community are likely to be underreported as dengue is unknown to the public. Also, clinicians might not be familiar with the disease presentation. It could be confused with other common fevers.

• put in place effective vector control measures, like draining stagnant water around residential areas, cleaning and replenishing water storage containers on a weekly basis, distributing insecticide-treated nets, spraying indoors and using window and door screens.

• strengthen surveillance to assess the vector breeding potential in containers and to monitor insecticide resistance. This is critical for selecting the most effective insecticides.

• make communities aware of the risks of infection and how to protect themselves. Engaged communities can take ownership of the vector control strategy and adopt healthy behaviours.

• strengthen cross-border collaboration. The current outbreak most likely spread from Sudan. The focus should be on prevention and vector control measures in border areas.

• mobilise resources for a national contingency plan for dengue preparedness and response. And seek help from experienced organisations like the WHO.

View original: https://www.econotimes.com/Chads-first-dengue-fever-outbreak-what-you-should-know-1665123

*About Author: Eunice Anyango Owino
Dr. Eunice Anyango Owino is a Medical Entomologist based at the School of Biological Sciences, the University of Nairobi, specialising on arthropod borne diseases. 
Medical Entomologist at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi 
Source: https://www.econotimes.com/contributors/17080

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Coup in Niger. Coup leaders want Wagner. UAE sends military vehicles to Chad. UK supports UAE at COP28

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Chad is a neighbour of Sudan and Niger. On 26 July Niger became the latest country in West Africa where the army has seized control, following Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Chad - all former French colonies.

Since 1990, 78% of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in Francophone states leading some commentators to ask whether France - or the legacy of French colonialism - is to blame?

Note, on 7 Feb 1992 France signed a bilateral treaty recognising Russia as a successor of the USSR. As described by Paris the bilateral relations between France and Russia remain longstanding, and remain strong to this day.

France controlled Chad from 1900 until the country's independence in 1960. France maintains an air force base at Chad's N'Djamena International Airport where it has launched humanitarian and counter-terrorism missions to the Central African Republic, Mali and Niger.

Russia's Wagner mercenary group is "taking advantage" of instability in Niger, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told BBC News today. The BBC report says "the country has been ruled by a junta following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum nearly two weeks ago. There have been suggestions the coup leaders have asked for help from Wagner, which is known to be present in neighbouring Mali."

Image: Antony Blinken says the US is concerned about the Wagner group appearing in parts of the Sahel region. Image and caption credit: BBC report (Tue 8 Aug 2023, 20:09 GMT+1): Niger coup: Wagner taking advantage of instability - Antony Blinken

Also, the report says "both the US and France operate military bases in Niger as part of operations to disrupt jihadist groups operating in the wider region. Niger became the main base for French troops after they were told to leave Mali following a coup there. Wagner is believed to have thousands of fighters in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where it has lucrative business interests but also bolsters Russia's diplomatic and economic relations."

Meanwhile, as per the UAE's official news agency (WAM) report here below, the UAE has sent a shipment of military vehicles and security equipment to Chad, to support its capabilities in combatting terrorism and enhancing border protection.

WAM published some photos (see below) of several desert-coloured armoured vehicles, with the Emirati and Chadian flags draped over two of them. 

And, to add some more clarity (joke), here below is a report saying "UK supports UAE, looks forward for a strong participation and engagement with UAE at COP28, UK Ambassador tells WAM". 

Plus a report by Reuters explaining "Niger is among the world's biggest uranium producers", followed by a nuclear photo showing a mushroom cloud over Hiroshima after the dropping of the uranium-based atomic bomb nicknamed 'Little Boy', and a tweet on the Niger coup by Admiral James Stavridis, USN, Ret. (@stavridisj) August 6, 2023 saying: "Will this lead to a full-blown war in Africa? It certainly has the potential to do so, and would be a significant and devastating event." Read more.

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Report from The Economic Times - economictimes.indiatimes.com

By AFP (Agence France-Presse)
Published Monday 07 August 2023 - here is a full copy:

UAE sends military vehicles to Chad

Synopsis
Chad is a neighbour of Niger, where a coup late last month toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel region. The UAE's official news agency WAM included a photo of several desert-coloured armoured vehicles, with the Emirati and Chadian flags draped over two of them. Emirati firm NIMR manufactures the vehicles.

The United Arab Emirates has sent military vehicles and other security gear to Chad in support of anti-"terrorism" efforts and border protection, the oil-rich Gulf state said on Sunday.

Chad is a neighbour of Niger, where a coup late last month toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel region. 

The UAE's official news agency WAM included a photo of several desert-coloured armoured vehicles, with the Emirati and Chadian flags draped over two of them. Emirati firm NIMR manufactures the vehicles.

"The UAE has sent a shipment of military vehicles and security equipment to the Republic of Chad, to support its capabilities in combatting terrorism and enhancing border protection," WAM said, without providing details on the equipment.

WAM said the two countries had signed a military cooperation agreement in June during a visit by Chad's president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who has led the country since his father Idriss Deby Itno died from wounds battling rebels more than two years ago.

The military cooperation pact was one of several bilateral agreements signed between the two countries, WAM said. 

N'Djamena confirmed that it had "received armoured vehicles in the framework of military cooperation between Chad and the Emirates".

"This equipment allows us to strengthen our defence forces in the framework of the struggle against terrorism," Chad's Defence Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim told AFP.

The UAE, which has been developing its own defence industry, has also been increasing its engagement with African nations.

Military chiefs of the West African bloc ECOWAS have agreed on a plan for a possible intervention in response to the July 26 coup which toppled Niger's president Mohamed Bazoum.

Chad is not an ECOWAS member but a Chadian government spokesman told AFP on July 30 that Deby had gone to Niger "to see what he could bring to solving the crisis." 

View original: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/uae-sends-military-vehicles-to-chad/articleshow/102478011.cms

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Report at WAM (The Emirates News Agency) wam.ae/en

By Tariq Al Fahaam

Dated Sunday 06 August 2023, 10:33 AM - here is a full copy:

UAE provides Chad with military and security equipment to support counterterrorism efforts

ABU DHABI, 6th August, 2023 (WAM) -- The UAE has sent a shipment of military vehicles and security equipment to the Republic of Chad, to support its capabilities in combatting terrorism and enhancing border protection.

 

This initiative falls within the framework of the strong ties between the UAE and Chad at various levels, which have resulted in the signing of several bilateral agreements, including a military cooperation agreement in June during the official visit of Mahamat Idriss Deby, Chairman of Chad's Transitional Military Council, to Abu Dhabi.

Rashid Saeed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Chad, delivered the supplies’ shipment to Lieutenant General Daoud Yahya Brahim, Chad’s Minister of Defence, in the presence of the Chief of the General Staff of the Chadian Army, the Chief of the Strategic Reserve Forces of the Chadian Army, and high-ranking Chadian military officials.

 

The Chadian Minister of Defence expressed his country’s appreciation for the UAE’s ongoing support, which will contribute to restoring peace and stability in the region, stressing that military cooperation plays a key role in enhancing security and efforts to overcome challenges.

View original: https://wam.ae/en/details/1395303184300

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Niger coup: Is France to blame for instability in West Africa?

IMAGE/CAPTION: "Goodbye France," reads a placard held by supporters of the [Niger] coup

Source: BBC News report 06 Aug 2023 'Niger coup: Is France to blame for instability in West Africa?'

...Niger has become the latest country in West Africa where the army has seized control, following Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Chad - all former French colonies. Since 1990, a striking 78% of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in Francophone states leading some commentators to ask whether France - or the legacy of French colonialism - is to blame? ...

View original: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66406137.amp

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Report at WAM (The Emirates News Agency) wam.ae/e

By Tariq Al Fahaam

Dated Sunday 6 August 2023, 11:18 AM - here is a full copy:

UK supports UAE, looks forward for a strong participation and engagement with UAE at COP28, UK Ambassador tells WAM

ABU DHABI, 6th August, 2023 (WAM) -- Edward Hobart, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the UAE, affirmed his country’s support for the UAE hosting of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) and UK’s active participation and engagement in the UN climate conference.

‘’In COP28, we think that the UAE is a great country to be hosting it, understands energy, has a long history in energy, has a long history in renewable and clean energy including nuclear. So, it has an example it has set and we need to bring more countries with us. But it's a huge challenge,’’ said Edward Hobart in an interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM).

He spoke about the UK’s vision of the importance of COP28 and its role in bringing about a quantum leap in global climate action as one of main areas of joint cooperation between the two countries.

On UK’s participation at COP28, Edward Hobart said:’’ There will be a very strong British participation at COP28. We've been strong contributors at all COPs up to the one that we chaired two years ago in Glasgow. So we'll have many of our leaders as well as British companies, British investors, British scientists and experts contributing to COP28.’’

The UK, he indicated, chaired COP two years ago in COP26 and I think every year this becomes more important. The climate emergency has to be addressed. So, we really have to focus on reducing emissions, increasing mitigations, helping countries adapt, and providing the financing to do all that, and this is a key part for COP28.

‘’It is a huge challenge for the world, for the UAE to lead that process and we want to do whatever we can to support it. To support it we need to increase renewable and clean energy, and as a target we'd like a bold target to maybe triple renewables by 2030. We have to reduce emissions, and just like the UAE has just published its own commitment to net zero, its refined commitment, we need countries around the world, the big emitters to put out what are called ‘NDCs’, (Nationally Determined Contributions) to reduce those emissions.

‘’ We have to phase out unabated fossil fuels, while at the same time providing alternative and energy sources. And we also need to address the countries which had been affected right now by climate change through development assistance. All of this requires a huge amount of finance. There's no reason why businesses can't get involved in investing private money in order to make money and be commercially driven by it, but we need to provide the right incentives,’’ he added.

On UAE-UK energy cooperation, the UK Ambassador said:’’ The UAE has been investing for over a decade in the UK in renewable energy and they are investors in major wind farms, offshore wind farms, the London Array, wind farms in Scotland, and floating high wind farms off the coast of Scotland. The UAE has also invested in battery storage in the UK, and the UK and the UAE have both invested in each other’s countries in hydrogen projects. So there's a lot of cooperation that we have together as well as in third countries where our businesses and governments work together to help other countries through their own energy transitions.’’

 

‘’The UAE has been a major player in renewable energy for a long time. Their offshore wind and battery head offices are actually in London. So they run their global operations on wind and batteries out of London because we have technology and investments that we share between the UK and the UAE. They have some really interesting investments, I mentioned hydrogen, BP and ADNOC invested in Teesside in the north east of England and here in Abu Dhabi, but also some really interesting innovations. So, Octopus Energy from the UK and Taqa from the UAE investing in Morocco in a British company called Xlinks with the ambition to bring solar and wind energy from Morocco to the UK - three and a half thousand kilometres of cable to do that. So some really important innovations. We intend to do the same hopefully in other parts of the world but we can help them through their energy transition.''

Regarding UAE-UK’s initiatives at COP28, the UK diplomat explained: ‘’Certainly, there will be bilateral initiatives I'm sure with the UAE, as well as UK initiatives on things like nature. We want to make sure that we bring a huge funding to nature based solutions because this is a flipside, is that part of the mitigation to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is insuring that we have the right vegetation on the ground. So mangroves is a very important project that we work jointly on with Emirati organisations, developing and sustaining forests around the world and supporting indigenous groups of people that understand how to do that.’’

 

‘’As well as looking after small and developing states, whose very existence is threatened or who find themselves affected by severe climate change in terms of climate events like hurricanes in the Caribbean. So, nature-based solutions, how we protect those communities and those areas which had been most immediately affected by climate change is a really important additional area for the UK to work on with the UAE. I think we'll also work with the UAE on food security. We're hosting a conference in London on the 20th of November to help lead up to COP28 where there'll be a food security element there as well,’’ he concluded.

View original:  https://wam.ae/en/details/1395303184303

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Post script from Sudan Watch Editor: 

Some commentators online are asking what all the fuss is about regarding a coup in Niger. Here are some of the reasons, it's nuclear.

Report from Reuters

Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Nick Macfie

Published Monday 31 July 2023, 7:04 AM GMT+1 - full copy:

Niger is among the world's biggest uranium producers

July 28 (Reuters) - Niger military officers said on Friday they had suspended the constitution and dissolved all institutions after overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA).

The radioactive metal is the most widely used fuel for nuclear energy. It is also used in treating cancer, for naval propulsion, and in nuclear weapons.

Below are details of Niger's uranium deposits and mines:

PRODUCTION

Niger, which has Africa's highest-grade uranium ores, produced 2,020 metric tons of uranium in 2022, about 5% of world mining output, according to the WNA. This was down from 2,991 tons in 2020.

The world's three biggest producers are Kazakhstan, Canada and Namibia.

Niger has one major mining operation in the north operated by France's state-owned Orano, another major mine which closed in 2021, with one under development.

Orano said on Friday it was continuing mining despite ongoing "security events". French nuclear power plants source less than 10% of their uranium from Niger, Orano added

ARLIT MINING SITES

Several open pit mining sites are located near the city of Arlit, in the northwest, and operated by Somair, a joint venture of Orano and Niger's state-owned Sopamin.

AKOUTA MINE

This underground mine near Akokan, southwest oif Arlit, produced 75,000 metric tons of uranium from 1978 until March 2021, when it closed after its ore reserves had been depleted.

The mine was owned by Cominak, 59% owned by Orano, 31% by Sopamin and 10% by Spain's state-owned Enusa.

IMOURAREN

This deposit about 50 miles south of Arlit contains one of the largest reserves in the world, according to Orano.

An operating mine permit was awarded in 2009, but work to bring the mine into operation was suspended in 2014 until uranium prices improve. 

Image: The Tamgak open air uranium mine is seen at Areva's Somair uranium mining facility in Arlit, Niger, September 25, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney/File Photo.

View original: 

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/uranium-mines-niger-worlds-7th-biggest-producer-2023-07-28/

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The mushroom cloud over Hiroshima after the dropping of the uranium-based atomic bomb nicknamed 'Little Boy'. Read more at Wikipedia.

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Will this lead to a full-blown war in Africa? It certainly has the potential to do so, and would be a significant and devastating event. https://t.co/KFr8YKEB7T

— Admiral James Stavridis, USN, Ret. (@stavridisj) August 6, 2023

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