Africa has a disproportionate share of the world’s infectious illnesses while having incredible historical sites and biological variety. Poverty, political instability, urbanization, and the wildlife trade have all contributed to a rise in the occurrence of zoonotic infections, which may be transmitted from animals to humans.
WHO estimates that zoonotic illnesses account for more than 65% of all human infectious diseases and 75% of all new human infectious diseases. The alarmingly high prevalence of these infections, which include leishmaniasis and salmonellosis, is especially troubling. The incidence of zoonotic disease outbreaks in Africa increased by 63% between 2012 and 2022. This growth is more than simply a number; it has actual implications for the well-being of millions of individuals throughout the world.
This growth is not the result of a single factor. The expansion of human settlements into wildlife regions is a common outcome of urbanization, which increases the number of human-animal contacts. This risk is heightened by rising demand for animal-based goods and lax veterinary law enforcement. Illegal wildlife trafficking is linked to various zoonotic diseases and is a high-risk yet lucrative business.Â
Several medications used to halt the spread of this disease were developed by African researchers. One of the most common ways is known as target-driven drug development. This strategy, which is based on determining the molecular target of a certain medicinal molecule, enables more focused and successful therapy. This technique is being used to combat parasitic protozoans such as leishmaniasis, which is carried by sandflies. These targeted efforts are also intended to prevent salmonellosis, a food-borne illness caused by the Salmonella bacterium.Â
Another interesting technique is phenotype-driven drug development. Unlike the target-driven technique, this methodology may be utilized to find chemicals that change cellular phenotype without first identifying the specific target. It has been demonstrated to be quite effective against schistosomiasis, TB, and malaria.
Schistosomiasis is frequent in Africa due to a lack of access to adequate drinking water. Blood flukes are the parasites that cause this sickness. As resistance to traditional therapies grows, alternative approaches are desperately needed. The possibility of drug repositioning and repurposing is also being investigated.
Improve or research the therapeutic potential of presently used medications in other situations is one such technique. Lassa fever is a viral infection carried by rats, and antiviral drugs such as ribavirin may have new applications in its treatment. Sapanisertib is now being studied as a cancer treatment, but its usefulness against malaria is also being studied.Â
African traditional treatments are being researched because they provide a novel and culturally meaningful option. Scientists are now researching traditional remedies that have been used effectively for millennia. Several plants with a history of use in alternative medicine have generated chemicals with antibacterial and antiplasmodial activity.Â
On the other side, difficulties will occur. Many zoonotic diseases have complicated life cycles that make identifying well-validated therapeutic targets difficult. Another significant impediment is the lack of funding for zoonotic disease research. Because these conditions disproportionately impact the poor, they are typically not profitable.Â
However, there is cause to be optimistic. Universities, non-governmental groups, and research organizations working together on a global scale have had a positive influence. The RTS, S malaria vaccine is an example of the success that may be achieved by merging public and private resources. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have also cleared the path for low-cost medicinal trials.Â
Despite significant hurdles, African scientists’ efforts, international cooperation, and technical developments have made the future more optimistic. Africa has a great chance to make substantial achievements in the worldwide fight against zoonotic diseases due to its enormous natural resources, broad knowledge of traditional remedies, and hardy people.Â
Journal Reference Â
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