💉 A new mystery illness in DRC; Africa's new upskilling networks; Encephalitis still rules supreme
#553 | A new TB on the anvil; Africa's getting really, really hot and arid; How to actually make in Africa
Hello, and welcome back to The Kable for one last time this wretched February. Why wretched, you ask? Well, take last year, for example. This February is already one day shorter. But if that's not wretched enough for you, how about we take a gander at the news instead?
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), yet another mystery disease seems to have emerged. This one claimed over 50 lives in two clusters, with people succumbing to the illness at exceedingly fast rates. The WHO and health officials from DRC investigated, and as we've seen before, authorities are tending towards concluding that this mystery illness too is malaria.
Not that health authorities outside Africa seem too concerned but the WHO says mpox remains a health emergency.
Over in the US, an ongoing measles outbreak has claimed its first casualty even as the vaccine-sceptic new health czar of that country continues to deride vaccines. So much so that the US government's deal with Moderna for a bird flu vaccine might be on ice even as health authorities claim the US will spend $1 billion on mitigating bird flu. The regular flu isn't spared either with a scheduled meeting to discuss flu shot composition for the next season finding itself unscheduled. Pharma biggies, however, are still hopeful of raking in the big bucks in the US. None more so than Lilly who announced $27 billion in expanding manufacturing facilities in the country.
And finally, in a rehash of a story that never dies, several Indian drugmakers were at the censorious end of the US FDA’s ire. Usually, we provide links to each of these reports. However, if over 550 issues of The Kable have taught us one thing, it is that all of these reports will be just as fresh next week and the week after, ad infinitum. Want proof? Just look at the last story in the next section.
Stories Of The Week
More giant steps for Africa. The Africa CDC is continuing its quest for African self-reliance in vaccine and health product manufacturing with newly established Regional Capability and Capacity Networks (RCCNs). These networks will tackle one of the continent’s biggest roadblocks—an acute shortage of skilled professionals in biomanufacturing, R&D, and regulatory affairs by fostering structured training programs and industry collaboration. The RCCNs, spanning Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, will bridge the talent gap by connecting training institutions, manufacturers, and regulators to create a steady pipeline of skilled professionals. This initiative addresses Africa’s longstanding challenges—limited hands-on training, brain drain, and fragmented funding—by ensuring a coordinated, sustainable approach to workforce development.
(Africa CDC)
Ban(ish) all mosquitoes. Encephalitis remains a critically under-recognised and underfunded global health threat, exacerbated by climate change, vaccine hesitancy, and the rising burden of vector-borne diseases. A new WHO report calls for urgent, coordinated action to address the growing impact of this life-threatening condition, which affects people of all ages and often leads to long-term disability or death. With over 80,000 deaths recorded in 2021 and many more individuals suffering severe neurological after-effects, encephalitis demands a stronger political commitment, improved diagnostic access, and greater investment in research and treatment. Yet, in many lower- and middle-income countries, the disease remains a low priority amidst competing health crises, while even in wealthier nations, treatment options are limited.
The WHO report underscores the growing threat of mosquito-borne viruses like dengue, Zika, and Japanese Encephalitis, which are spreading due to environmental changes. It also warns that lapses in routine immunisation, particularly against measles and mumps, could trigger more vaccine-preventable encephalitis cases. Experts stress that simple, cost-effective interventions—such as better surveillance, expanded vaccine programs, and improved access to diagnostic tools and essential medicines—could significantly reduce the burden of encephalitis. The WHO’s increased focus on brain health is a step forward, but without sustained global action, encephalitis will continue to claim lives and devastate communities worldwide.
(Health Policy Watch)
Pharmacy of the world, yeah? Last week, we mentioned a BBC Eye investigation that purported to show an Indian drugmaker fostering an opioid crisis across West Africa. Lots happened on that front this week. Indian authorities issued a show cause notice to the drugmaker in question before banning production of the two drugs mentioned in the BBC report. The company, Aveo Pharma, said the drug was cleared for export by authorities, a claim refuted by self-same authorities. Unrelated we're sure but the week ended with Indian regulators proposing a streamlined, export process to reduce workload and improve export operations.
(Economic Times, Financial Express)
Breakthroughs
Eliminating TB a pipe dream? Maybe not. TB remains a major global health challenge, with over a million lives lost annually, despite being largely controlled in developed countries. Recognising the urgent need for better vaccines, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine - in a couple of studies - have engineered two breakthrough mycobacteria strains equipped with "kill switches"—genetic mechanisms that allow the bacteria to trigger an immune response before being safely eliminated. Their first study focuses on improving the effectiveness of the century-old BCG vaccine by making high-dose intravenous administration safer. By integrating virus-derived enzymes as kill switches, they created a self-destructing vaccine that enhances immunity while eliminating the risk of lingering infection. Early trials in macaques have shown promising results, but the long and costly path to clinical validation remains a significant challenge. The second study takes an even bolder step, tackling the feasibility of controlled human infection trials. By developing a strain of M. tuberculosis with a triple kill switch—three independent fail-safe mechanisms—the researchers have created an exceptionally safe model for testing new vaccines. Even in severely immunocompromised mice, this engineered strain could be completely eradicated on demand. With additional testing in progress, let's hope accelerated clinical trials can bring an effective TB vaccine closer to reality.
(Nature Microbiology, Nature Microbiology)
Bottom line
No rice for Africa. Africa, the continent least responsible for climate change—contributing less than 4% of global emissions—is set to bear its worst impacts, with all five subregions expected to cross the critical 1.5°C warming threshold by 2040, even under low-emission scenarios. A new study by scientists from the University of Zimbabwe and ILRI highlights the urgent need for just transition pathways to safeguard African agriculture, which remains highly vulnerable due to climate-sensitive farming and limited economic resilience. Their proposed solutions include climate-proofing agriculture through scientific innovation, restoring degraded land, protecting biodiversity, and fostering a "Green Industrial Revolution" to make farming more sustainable. Without transformative action, existing adaptation efforts will fall short, leaving African farmers—who have already suffered significant climate losses—facing worsening conditions. The researchers argue that rethinking education, financing, and trade policies is key to creating a fairer, more resilient agricultural future—one that not only secures food systems but also aligns with global carbon reduction goals.
(CABI Reviews)
Long reads
How to make in Africa. The ongoing pandemic made it painfully clear that Africa's reliance on external vaccine suppliers leaves the continent vulnerable in times of crisis. With only 1% of its vaccine needs currently produced locally, Africa CDC has set an ambitious target: manufacture 60% of the continent’s vaccines by 2040. But scaling up production isn’t just about building factories—it requires a strong, sustainable supply chain for the materials that go into making a single vaccine. CEPI and Africa CDC recently brought together experts to tackle these supply chain hurdles, from high import costs to procurement delays. Their findings highlight practical solutions, including better collaboration between suppliers and manufacturers, standardising input materials, and localising production to cut costs and reduce delays. These steps are crucial to securing Africa’s health future. If you're curious about the details—how these challenges can be overcome and what’s next—this report is your best friend.
(CEPI)
Oh, and Gopal Nair doesn't want you to see this.