Africa is the second largest continent in the world, comprising about 54 independent countries with an estimated population of approximately 1.369 billion. Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death across Africa and there is a strong need to discuss some of the infectious diseases affecting Africa and how to tackle them. This tutorial will cover the following topics: (1) Infectious Diseases in Africa and (2) Infectious Disease Modeling for Africa.

Infectious Diseases in Africa

We will discuss infectious diseases based on pathogens: viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic. I will also discuss the African region with the highest disease burdens. The mode of transmission, prevention, and treatment of the diseases will also be discussed. The talk will cover the following infectious diseases:

• Viral diseases such as Ebola virus disease and Lassa fever

• Bacteria diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera

• Fungal infection; cryptococcosis

• Parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and malaria.

Infectious Disease Modelling for Africa

This part will discuss the mathematical models of selected infectious diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, EVD, LF, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and cryptococcosis, and the mathematical approaches applied to them.