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What Could Explain the Lower COVID-19 Burden in Africa despite Considerable Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus?

Author

Listed:
  • Richard G. Wamai

    (Department of Cultures, Societies, and Global Studies, Northeastern University, 201 Renaissance Park, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Jason L. Hirsch

    (Department of Cultures, Societies, and Global Studies, Northeastern University, 201 Renaissance Park, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Wim Van Damme

    (Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • David Alnwick

    (DUNDEX (Deployable U.N.-Experienced Development Experts), FX68 Belturbet, Ireland)

  • Robert C. Bailey

    (School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA)

  • Stephen Hodgins

    (School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Uzma Alam

    (Researcher Africa Institute for Health Policy Foundation, Nairobi 020, Kenya)

  • Mamka Anyona

    (T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

Abstract

The differential spread and impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), across regions is a major focus for researchers and policy makers. Africa has attracted tremendous attention, due to predictions of catastrophic impacts that have not yet materialized. Early in the pandemic, the seemingly low African case count was largely attributed to low testing and case reporting. However, there is reason to consider that many African countries attenuated the spread and impacts early on. Factors explaining low spread include early government community-wide actions, population distribution, social contacts, and ecology of human habitation. While recent data from seroprevalence studies posit more extensive circulation of the virus, continuing low COVID-19 burden may be explained by the demographic pyramid, prevalence of pre-existing conditions, trained immunity, genetics, and broader sociocultural dynamics. Though all these prongs contribute to the observed profile of COVID-19 in Africa, some provide stronger evidence than others. This review is important to expand what is known about the differential impacts of pandemics, enhancing scientific understanding and gearing appropriate public health responses. Furthermore, it highlights potential lessons to draw from Africa for global health on assumptions regarding deadly viral pandemics, given its long experience with infectious diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard G. Wamai & Jason L. Hirsch & Wim Van Damme & David Alnwick & Robert C. Bailey & Stephen Hodgins & Uzma Alam & Mamka Anyona, 2021. "What Could Explain the Lower COVID-19 Burden in Africa despite Considerable Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8638-:d:615072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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