7 January
WHO urges more action to end world’s worst measles outbreak in DRC
WHO calls for more funding to strengthen the response to a measles outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo cases surpass 6000, making it the world’s largest.
31 January
WHO bolsters COVID-19 readiness in Africa
WHO scales up support to countries to swiftly detect, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients. Thirteen countries identified as priority due to trade and travel links with China.
3 February
WHO Regional Director for Africa gets second term
The WHO Executive Board formally appoints Dr Matshidiso Moeti for a second term as Regional Director for WHO African Region.
14 February
Four African countries license Ebola vaccine
Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Zambia license an Ebola vaccine, marking an important milestone in Ebola prevention and response.
18 February
Ethiopia passes landmark smoking excise bill
Ethiopia passes landmark anti-tobacco legislation that introduces a mixed-excise system on cigarettes, including a 30% tax rate on cigarette production and an additional tax on each pack of cigarettes sold.
25 February
First COVID-19 case in WHO African Region recorded in Algeria
Algeria confirms its first COVDI-19 cases, also becoming the first country to do so in WHO African Region.
6 March
WHO Regional Office for Africa, UNV Programme to boost gender parity
The WHO Regional Office for Africa and the UN Volunteers Programme partner launch the Africa Young Women Health Champions to recruit 100 early to middle career women professionals across the African region.
10 March
South African Development Community unites to tackle COVID-19
Ministers of Health from the South African Development Community agree to coordinate response efforts and share information for a harmonized COVID-19 response.
21 March
Borno closes Lassa fever outbreak, briefs Media on COVID-19
A Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state, the second in almost 50 years, ends. The virus infected 21 people and claimed two lives.
1 April
WHO hosts virtual hackathon for COVID-19
The WHO Regional Office for Africa hosts a hackathon with 100 innovators from across sub-Saharan Africa to pioneer creative local solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic and address gaps in the regional response.
7 April
COVID-19 cases top 10 000 in Africa
COVID-19 cases in Africa surpass 10 000, with more than 500 deaths. Infections continue to spread to more countries and to regions beyond capital cities.
14 April
UN solidarity flight delivers COVID-19 supplies
First UN solidarity flight delivers vital COVID-19 medical supplies to all African countries where supplies are desperately needed to contain the spread of the virus.
20 April
Regulatory agencies to expedite COVID-19 clinical trial reviews
National regulatory authorities and ethics committees from across Africa agree to combine expertise to expedite clinical trial reviews and approvals for new multinational preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic COVID-19 interventions.
24 April
Malaria vaccine pilot in Africa one year on
Around 275 000 children receive the first dose of malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi a year after it was piloted in the three countries.
30 April
African countries start easing COVID-19 confinement measures
As several African countries begin easing lockdown measures, WHO urges caution and issues guidance to encourage a gradual adjustment of public health and social measures.
4 May
4 May: WHO supports scientifically proven traditional medicine
WHO encourages innovations for potential COVID-19 treatments using traditional medicines, while ensuring efficacy and safety are established through rigorous clinical trials.
21 May
WHO showcases African innovations in COVID-19 response
African innovators step up support to the continent’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic, collaborating with WHO to develop solutions to help contain the virus.
22 May
Africa COVID-19 cases top 100 000
COVID-19 spreads to all African countries, with more than 10 000 cases and 3100 deaths across the continent.
1 June
New Ebola outbreak in western DRC
The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares a new Ebola outbreak in the western Equateur province as another outbreak in the eastern region enters its final phase.
4 June
Polio eradication expertise backs Africa’s COVID-19 response
A network of responders from the WHO Polio Eradication Programme and partner organizations provide critical resources and skills to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting testing and contact tracing activities.
25 June
DRC’s 10th Ebola outbreak declared over
The Ebola outbreak in DRC’s eastern region, the country’s 10th and the second-deadliest in the world, is declared over 18 months since erupting.
9 July
WHO urges equitable COVID-19 vaccine access
WHO calls for equitable access to future COVID-19 vaccines in Africa as researchers around the world race to find effective protection against the virus.
22 July
Joint push for COVID-19 traditional medicine research
WHO, Africa CDC launch an expert committee to provide independent scientific advice and support countries ensure safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicines.
23 July
COVID-19 infects over 10 000 health workers in Africa
More than 10 000 health workers in 40 countries infected with COVID-19, highlighting the challenges medical staff on the frontlines of the pandemic face.
27 July
Ethiopia vaccinates almost 15 million children against measles
Amid COVID-19 challenges, Ethiopian health authorities vaccinate nearly 15 million children against measles, in an effort to maintain essential health services during the pandemic.
5 August
WHO deploys surge team to South Africa
WHO deploys around 40 experts to South Africa to help bolster the country’s COVID-19 response.
6 August
Africa reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases
COVID-19 cases surpass 1 million cases in Africa as the pandemic surges in several hotspots across the continent.
25 August
Africa declared free of wild polio
In a historic milestone, Africa is officially declared free of wild polio, only the second time a virus has been eliminated in the continent since smallpox 40 years ago.
27 August
Togo becomes the first African country to end sleeping sickness
Togo becomes the first country in Africa to eliminate sleeping sickness as a public health problem after 10 years with no recorded cases.
2 September
1 million COVID-19 survivors are recorded on the African continent
WHO celebrates the story of one woman from Guinea, who beat the disease at age 99.
10 September
COVID-19 genome sequencing laboratory network launched
WHO, Africa CDC launch a network of laboratories to reinforce COVID-19 genome sequencing in Africa.
19 September
COVID-19 herbal medicine trial protocol endorsed
A WHO, Africa CDC expert panel endorse a protocol for phase III clinical trials of COVID-19 herbal medicine.
29 September
African island states launch joint medicines procurement initiative
Ministers of Health from seven small African island states sign an agreement to jointly procure drugs and vaccines in a bid to improve quality and access to medicines and other health products.
30 September
Statement from Dr Matshidiso Moeti on Sexual Abuse
Dr Matshidiso Moeti expresses support for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, and a thorough inquiry into allegations of abuse by aid workers during the DRC’s North Kivu Ebola response.
22 October
Rapid tests to boost COVID-19 diagnosis
The roll-out of new, antigen-based rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tests to boost testing capacity in Africa.
29 October
Over 120 health innovations piloted in Africa
A new WHO analysis finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has galvanized the development of more than 120 health technology innovations in Africa.
18 November
DRC’s 11th Ebola outbreak declared over
The Ebola outbreak in the western Equateur region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is declared over, nearly six months after the first cases were reported.
23 November
Knowledge brokering platform launched to support health systems in the African region
WHO and partners launch and online platform to promote information sharing across countries to strengthen national and regional health systems.
25 November
African Health Ministers urge greater vigilance in COVID-19 fight
At the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, health ministers across the continent stressed the need for strong COVID-19 responses, with high-level political commitment, solidarity, information-sharing, and research on traditional medicines remedies.
1 December
Eswatini reaches major HIV milestone
Eswatini becomes the first country in Africa to achieve the United Nations HIV target: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of them are on antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load.
3 December
Africa Infodemic Response Alliance launched
WHO and partner organizations launch the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance to coordinate actions and pool resources in combating misinformation around COVID-19 and other health emergencies in Africa.