An Overview of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Transmissibility,Pathogenicity, Morbidity and Mortality so far

Abstract

This narrative review documented the available knowledge on the transmissibility, pathogenicity, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan African region in order to inform recommendations of future containment of the virus. Internet search for studies on COVID-19 transmission, pathogenicity, morbidity and mortality in Africa was conducted from February to July 2020. Although Africa was classified among the high-risk continents due to high volume of human air traffic occasioned by international trade relations and poor health facilities, available data showed that most sub-Saharan African countries were prepared with strategies to reduce and manage the disease beyond expectations. However, despite health guidelines, which include but are not limited to personal hygiene, maintaining social and physical distancing, avoiding crowded places, use of nose and mouth or face masks that will limit its spread, the high burden of other diseases in Africa, such as malaria, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and asthma among others coupled with poor health facilities have been attributed to contribute significantly to the cause of coronavirus mortality in Africa. While information on the pathogenicity and therapeutic management of coronavirus continue to evolve, medicinal plants with potent metabolites are reported to be effective in early treatment of the virus abound in African countries, thus bringing a positive development with futuristic hope for cheaper and effective medication. A potentially significant contribution to reduced severity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in sub-Sahara Africa may be due to the elevated temperatures of climate in this part of the world