Team Of Scientists Unveil Diagnostic Tool To Boost War Against Cholera In Africa

The war against cholera across Sub- Saharan Africa received a new impetus on Tuesday in Nairobi, with the unveiling of a diagnostic innovation to help detect pathogens that cause cholera.

Peter Singer, of Grand Challenges Canada and Leader of the team of Canadian and African scientists, who developed the “Flocked Swab”, said it would strengthen Cholera diagnosis to help minimise infections and deaths in resource poor settings across Africa.

Grand Challenges Canada was a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Canadian government, provided seed money to medical researchers to fast-track the development of the new cholera diagnostic tool.

He said “the simple fact was that diagnostics saves lives and if health workers can quickly and accurately pin point the cause of a child’s illness, timely help can be administered to prevent deaths.’’

Singer said it was revealed during the pilot test on the Flocked Swab efficacy in Southern African countries, that one third of babies hospitalised with severe diarrhea were discharged with undiagnosed but treatable infection.

He added that the low cost of innovation was able to detect hidden pathogens that cause cholera, while eliminating the wait and hazards involved in transporting bulk fecal material for testing.

The team leader said that the rapid diagnosis of pathogens that cause cholera would boost the war against a disease that was responsible for seven per cent of infant deaths across Sub-Saharan Africa.

David Goldfarb, also a researcher at the University of British Columbia in Canada, said the Flocked Swab had revitalised the war against cholera in Africa.

He disclosed that currently, the swabs were being used or evaluated in Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania.

He said “the manufacturer of this device is happy to make them available in resource poor setting across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Rigorous clinical studies indicate the diagnostic efficacy of the Flocked Swab is above board.’’

Goldfarb noted that a study in Botswana revealed that the swab was able to detect cholera pathogens with precision.

He said the Flocked Swab had resonated with poor and marginalised communities where cholera was endemic.

The reseracher said cholera epidemic had lately been reported in several African countries including Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan.

“In Kenya, the disease has claimed 65 lives since January when the first case was reported.’’

Goldfarb stressed that the Flocked Swab could deal a fatal blow to cholera and other communicable diseases blighting the rural and urban poor in Kenya and the region.

“The Swab could potentially help with surveillance as well as with case identification for treatment.

“These are vital components in controlling and managing the cholera epidemic.’’

Goldfarb then urged African governments to scale up the distribution of rota-virus vaccines in order to reduce the cholera burden