February 2022 – Science Africa

UNEP: Number of Wildfires to Increase by 14% by 2030

By Gift Briton Recently, there has been growing intensity and frequency of wildfires fueled by climate and land use change wreaking havoc on the environment, wildlife, human health and infrastructure across the globe, a new report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal reveals. The report calls for immediate radical changes in governments spending […]

Global Clinical Trial on COVID-19 Booster Shots Launched

By Aziza Atieno The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) have announced the launch of a global clinical trial investigating the impact of giving people reduced COVID-19 booster shots, as opposed to full doses as part of efforts to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines. In the trials set to take place […]

UNEA: Global Commitment to Beat Plastic Pollution

By Gift Briton Ahead of the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), marine and plastic pollution has been identified as an issue of concern requiring urgent solutions. This is according to a Joint Global Statement adopted by members of the major goups and other stakeholders(MGoS) in an online forum held between […]

23 Feb, 22

Kenya: Biological Control to Fight Invasive Pest in Papaya

By Marlene Angir Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) are stepping up the fight against the devastating papaya mealy bug (Paracoccus marginatus) which has been ranked high in the top pests affecting papaya and other horticultural crops. Invasive species experts from CABI’s centre […]

23 Feb, 22

COVID-19: Community Outreach Program Increases Vaccination Uptake in Homabay County

By Mary Hearty Homabay County is one of the counties that have recorded significantly lower number of people who have been fully vaccinated since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). As of 8th January 2022, the MoH reported that Homabay had 7.5% of fully vaccinated population out of […]

22 Feb, 22

UNEP-Flipflopi Partnership to Map Marine Litter in Indian Ocean

By Aziza Atieno Creators of the Flipflopi, the world’s first sailing dhow made entirely from discarded plastic, are partnering with members of the international scientific community to embark on an excursion to map the impact of marine litter in theLamu archipelago of the Western Indian Ocean. The project will begin by assessing and collecting enough data […]

Stigma, Discrimination Hindering Progress in TB

By Sharon Atieno Stigma and discrimination against people affected with tuberculosis (TB) are the leading human rights barriers hindering access to TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment care and support. These are the findings of a study published in the Health and Human Rights Journal, which summarizes the results of Community, Rights and Gender (CRG) assessments carried […]

21 Feb, 22

NTDs: Celebrating Dr. Malecela

By Mary Hearty On 10 February, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the demise of one of Africa’s most passionate advocate for eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela. Dr. Malecela died at the age of 58 years, after a prolonged struggle with cancer. She was the Director of WHO’s Department of […]

21 Feb, 22

CABI Ranks Invasive Alien Plant Species in Ghana

By Gift Briton Though invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity, the effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. A survey conducted by Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International(CABI) on nearly 200 […]

WHO Announces First Technology Recipients of Vaccine Hub

By Sharon Atieno Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia are the first recipients of the technology needed to produce mRNA vaccines in the African continent. The announcement was made by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the European Union – African Union summit at a ceremony hosted by […]