Internationale Zeitschrift für öffentliche Gesundheit und Sicherheit

A Review into the Clinical Characteristics of 2019-Ncov and its Potential Impact on African Economy

Abstract

Dada Abiodun*, Fasoro Olatunji, Olusuyi Abimbola, Adewumi Michael, Odeyemi Taye, Ogunyemi Kayode, Oluwatuyi Victor

Introduction: The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or (SARS-CoV-2) was first observed in China in early December and by the end of January 2020, it had spread across 171 countries which were gradually affecting the global economy. The surge of COVID 19 in African countries has the potential to take more lives, disintegrate economies, pressured the health systems, and trigger lasting geological and social change if it’s not properly managed. This review summarizes the clinical characteristics of the new COVID 19 and the potential impact on African economy.

Method: The methodology adopted was purely on content analysis of secondary data and observed information from health survey and economic reports from Africa through a comprehensive search using electronic and non-electronic databases. A literature search from the databases of Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC), World Health Organization (WHO) database and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) were conducted.

Results: Our review of the subject matter indicated that many areas of African economy and Public Health system appear to be directly vulnerable to the impacts of the novel COVID-19 such as some key financial sectors, manufacturing and transportation, energy and mining, trade and tourism, Pharmaceutical and health system as a result of inadequate drug trials, unsuccessful vaccine trials, travel ban, mobility restrictions and limitation in surveillance/testing.

Conclusion: The surge of this virus has disrupted the medical and public health, economic and infrastructure of most countries in African. Hence, African countries should come together and develop holistic approach to tackle the surge. Individual countries need to improve their health care system, strengthening their laboratory and institutional capacity so that they can carry out clinical trials of new drugs in emergency period. Action framework should be designed with assistance from private sectors in order to secure food supply system, provide stimulus packages and support vulnerable populations during health crisis.