Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Initially perceived as a high-risk region at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Central Africa raised major concerns due to its fragile health systems. Four years after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, this review provides a critical analysis of seroprevalence data, epidemiological trends, diagnostic capabilities, and the technologies implemented in the regional response. An organized narrative review was conducted for the period 2020-2023. In total, 42 documents were included, comprising 27 peer-reviewed articles and 15 institutional reports. The analysis covered a country-by-country description and a cross-cutting assessment of testing strategies, genomic surveillance, vaccination rollout, and health governance. The region exhibited significant disparities in its response, notably in testing capacity, vaccination coverage (often <15%), and fragmented genomic surveillance. Molecular testing by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) remained highly centralized, while antigen tests were inconsistently deployed in peripheral areas. Only a few countries could locally identify variants. Seroprevalence levels appear to be much higher than reported case numbers. Initial catastrophic forecasts did not materialize, likely due to underestimated demographic, community-based, and probably immunological factors. The pandemic highlighted both the structural weaknesses and the adaptive capacities of Central African health systems. Nevertheless, it has offered a strategic opportunity to invest in sustainable epidemiological surveillance and health sovereignty. Understanding the gap between early projections and actual outcomes underscores the need for context-sensitive, resilient public health models in the region.
Authors: Koutaya Dezoumbe, Amine Akouya, Noubaramadji Yamti Suitombaye, Monique Routoubé, Abel Dafogo Djibagaou, Sabrina Atturo, Djallaye Djimtoïbaye, Rodrigue Takoudjou Dzomo Guy, Giulia Cappelli, Fayiz Mahamat Abakar, Joseph Fokam, Ali Mahamat Moussa, Laurent Andreoletti, Vittorio Colizzi, Franck J.D. Mennechet
Language: English
Subfield: Modeling and Simulation
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413995514