Setting the stage for Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance Network in West Africa: Report of a Regional Experts and Stakeholders Workshop in Accra, Ghana, April 2021

Abstract

A three-day regional workshop of stakeholders, partners, and experts from the West African countries was held from April 14 -16, 2021 in Accra, Ghana to conduct a situational analysis on the existing knowledge, expertise, previous accomplishments, and current activities in laboratory and syndrome based Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) surveillance that will guide a regional strategy for AFI surveillance. Technical presentations were made by participants from ministries of health, national public health institutes, West African Health Organization, Food Agricultural Organization, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) on existing AFI surveillance activities and infrastructure. In groups, the participants conducted Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis on AFI surveillance followed by a prioritization of actionable steps. Thirty-eight participants from 9 West African countries attended the meeting. The strengths recognized from the SWOT analysis include the existence and implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) within the region for priority diseases and a regional collaborative platform. However, there was inadequate information and data sharing platforms, non-availability of accurate diagnostic tools, knowledge gap on AFI and lack of harmonized framework. The opportunities that can be tapped into include supporting partners and global bodies, existing laboratory networks in Africa and infrastructure built during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting unveiled opportunities and challenges associated with establishing a regional AFI surveillance framework. It provided opportunity for stakeholders and experts to discuss the way forward on laying a foundation for a regional AFI surveillance system in the region.