03
The spread of ebola, mpox and a new disease?
A mpox outbreak in May 2022 quickly spread to dozens of countries outside Africa and prompted fears of a new pandemic. However, global cases began to drop significantly in August with the implementation of vaccine programs, and, despite the imposition of some screening measures, the outbreak did not prompt widespread travel restrictions like those imposed due to COVID-19.
Monkeypox: Daily confirmed cases
Worldwide
Source: World Health Organisation
In September, Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola caused by the Sudan strain, for which a vaccine does not currently exist. Authorities have struggled to contain the outbreak, despite imposing lockdown measures in the worst-affected districts and implementing screening measures at border crossings.
Six neighbouring countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania – have increased operational readiness, and the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the risk assessment of the disease spreading in the region from low to high, where mass population movements and weak cross-border surveillance magnify the risk of transmission.
Ebola infections: Uganda 2022
Cases
Kyegegwa
3 Confirmed
Mubende
14 Confirmed
18 Suspected
Kasanda
1 Suspected
Source: WHO; Uganda Ministry of Health
New Ebola-related travel bans and restrictions cannot be ruled out in the year ahead, particularly if the outbreak spreads to other countries in Africa.
Extreme weather events, natural disasters and more and more animals coming into closer contact with humans, all aggravate existing outbreaks, which could have the potential to disrupt travel on a local or regional basis.
Countries with active cholera transmission
Africa
Benin
Cameroon
Democratic
Republic of the Congo
Ethiopia
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Niger
Nigeria
Somalia
South
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Asia
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
India
Iraq
Lebanon
Nepal
Pakistan
Philippines
Syria
Yemen
Americas
Haiti
Source: CDC
By Samir Brahimi
