Africa CDC Launches Operational Research On Malaria In Lesotho, Namibia And Zimbabwe

An operational research on malaria has been launched in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, all in the southern part of Africa. This initiative is supported by a US$150,000 grant from the World Bank.

According to Africa CDC, the research, which follows recurring malaria outbreaks in the southern region, will be conducted from 14 November to 12 December 2025, and aims to strengthen Member States’ efforts to control and eliminate malaria.

“The operational research aims to generate evidence-based data to enhance malaria control and elimination strategies in Southern Africa, where many live in endemic areas,” said Dr Lul Pout Riek, Director of the Southern Africa Regional Co-ordinating Centre (SA-RCC). “By tailoring interventions to local needs, the study seeks to optimise responses, improve outbreak management, and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality across the continent.”

The study will also assess the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of different larvicide types and integrated vector control strategies.

“Researchers from the Africa CDC Science and Innovation Directorate, Southern RCC, national health ministries, public health institutes and academia will employ advanced analytical methods — including vector bionomics, mathematical modelling and simulation — to better understand malaria dynamics,” said Dr Mosoka Papa Fallah, Acting Director of the Science and Innovation Directorate at Africa CDC.

The research further seeks to identify bottlenecks in malaria healthcare delivery, particularly access to care during epidemic periods, to strengthen prevention and outbreak control in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Three Member States were selected based on researchable areas offering scalable solutions and the existence of in-country research protocols aligned with Africa CDC’s criteria.

“In Lesotho, we have reported localised outbreaks and increased vulnerability in certain districts. We aim to understand the entomological profile of malaria to inform our national elimination strategies,” said Mr Khotso Mahomo, International Health Regulations Manager at Lesotho’s Ministry of Health.

In Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 5,898 confirmed malaria cases between December 2024 and January 2025, including 840 hospitalisations and 28 deaths. Of these, 3,493 were locally transmitted and 2,496 were imported.

“This research will help identify emerging drivers of transmission and social determinants of severe disease,” said Dr Iyaloo Mwaningange, Deputy Director of the Epidemiology Division, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia. “It will also highlight operational challenges encountered during outbreak response and inform targeted interventions.”

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, reported a 180% surge in cumulative malaria cases between Week 1 and Week 17 of 2025 — rising from 21,309 cases in 2024 to 59,647 in 2025. Malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025, with Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Mashonaland West accounting for over 80% of cases.

“This operational research will generate actionable evidence for optimising vector control operations, updating policy, reinforcing health system delivery, and informing cross-border initiatives,” said Professor Nicholas Midzi, Director of the National Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe.

The study will also evaluate integrated indoor residual spraying and antimalarial mass treatment strategies, as well as supply-chain effectiveness and the roles of community health workers, to inform future policy and decision-making.

The research is expected to yield evidence-based recommendations to strengthen malaria surveillance, outbreak response and case management, while enhancing regional capacity for malaria elimination in the three countries.

 

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Health Authorities Confirm The Outbreak Of Marburg virus disease (MVD) In Ethiopia

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has acknowledged the outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD)  in Ethiopia. Marburg virus disease was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). 

This was contained in a press release by Africa CDC. The statement read, “As of 14 November 2025, Marburg virus disease (MVD) has been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory.Further epidemiological investigations and laboratory analyses are underway, and the virus strain detected shows similarities to those previously identified in East Africa.

“The initial alert of a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever was shared with Africa CDC on 12 November 2025.

“The Federal Ministry of Health, EPHI, and regional health authorities have activated response measures, including enhanced surveillance, field investigations, strengthened infection prevention and control, and community engagement efforts.” 

What Is Marburg virus disease (MVD) 

Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg Hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission. It causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. The case-fatality rate for Marburg hemorrhagic fever is between 23 to 90%. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and South Africa (in a person with a recent travel history to Zimbabwe).

The incubation period of MVD is from 2 to 9 days. Transmission does not occur during the incubation period. The transmission of the virus from person to person requires extremely close contact with a patient. Infection results from contact with blood or other body fluids (faeces, vomitus, urine, saliva, and respiratory secretions) with high virus concentration, especially when these fluids contain blood. Transmission via infected semen can occur up to seven weeks after clinical recovery.

The symptom onset is sudden and marked by fever, chills, headache, and myalgia. Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, a maculopapular rash, most prominent on the trunk (chest, back, stomach), may occur. Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may then appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.

The Treatment Of Marburg virus disease (MVD) 

There is no specific treatment for Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralize the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.

Preventive measures against Marburg virus infection are not well defined, as transmission from wildlife to humans remains an area of ongoing research. However, avoiding fruit bats, and sick non-human primates in central Africa, is one way to protect against infection. Measures for prevention of secondary, or person-to-person, transmission are similar to those used for other hemorrhagic fevers. If a patient is either suspected or confirmed to have Marburg hemorrhagic fever, barrier nursing techniques should be used to prevent direct physical contact with the patient.

 

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