Recent updates on the possible reasons for the low incidence and morbidity of COVID-19 cases in Africa

Emmanuel Kagning Tsinda; Gideon Sadikiel Mmbando

doi:10.1186/s42269-021-00589-9

Recent updates on the possible reasons for the low incidence and morbidity of COVID-19 cases in Africa

Bull Natl Res Cent. 2021;45(1):133. doi: 10.1186/s42269-021-00589-9. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

Authors

Emmanuel Kagning Tsinda¹, Gideon Sadikiel Mmbando²

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8575 Japan.
² Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577 Japan.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide since the first reported case in Wuhan, China. A year has passed since pandemic began, and the reasons for different COVID-19 burden variation across continents keep puzzling the general public.

Main body of the abstract: Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, published research articles have addressed the epidemiological risk factors, host factors, susceptibility and immunity. To ascertain possible reasons for the different rates of COVID-19 infections between Africa and other continents, we summarized the up-to-date scientific literature to identify possible arguments in this regard. Available literature suggests that demographic, epidemiological, sociological, genetic and immunological factors contribute in the COVID-19 severity and the susceptibly to SARS-CoV-2.

Short conclusion: This review summarizes existing data and discusses reasons for differential COVID-19 burden across continents. The arguments mentioned herein will be helpful to guide future experimental studies to test different hypotheses.

Keywords: Africa; Burden; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Severity; Susceptibility.

Publication types

Review