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Prevention of monkeypox Mpox in Guinea: Dr Sory Condé, Director General of ANSS speaks (Interview)
Posted By: Mamadama Sylla Last Updated Friday, August 23, 2024 At 8:08 AM
Although it has not yet recorded any cases of MPOX, Guinea is not on the sidelines of the system being put in place to deal with the disease, which is now "classified as a public health emergency of international concern" by the WHO. In an interview with Guineenews, the Director General of ANSS (National Agency for Health Security) discussed the measures taken to increase prevention and organize a possible response. Dr. Sory Condé especially reassured of the proven effectiveness of a very alert system, thanks to efficient technical installations and qualified human resources.
...
Guineenews: Mr. Director General, in the past, the ANS has been the cornerstone in the fight against diseases with epidemic potential in Guinea. Now that MPOX has already been reported in two nearby countries, namely Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, what is being done at the ANSS level to prevent and possibly respond?
Dr. Sory Condé: Thank you very much. I would first like to correct you. If you say that the ANSS has been, it must be said that the ANSS is. We are the cornerstone of our system of prevention, preparation and response to epidemics. As part of the sharing of cross-border information with other countries, since the beginning of this month, we have had information with colleagues from Côte d'Ivoire on the situation prevailing there and which is evolving over time.
Since then, we have taken measures of the matter. It must be remembered that Africa has experienced cases... in the past. In 2023, there were suspicions in Guinea.
In 2022, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding MPOX. So, in all countries, we have strengthened preparedness and response measures. And on this occasion, we developed documents and made upgrades with our rapid response teams, which resulted in the detection of suspected cases, fortunately who tested negative. So, already since the beginning of this year again, we have brought out the same documents. We have warmed up.
We also reminded the teams of the appropriate measures in the context of prevention, preparation and response to possible Mpox epidemics. This has already led us to detect suspected cases. It should be noted that on the 14th of this month, while the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern, we had suspected cases in Lelouma, in a very distant prefecture of Côte d'Ivoire.
To say that the system works, it is a border prevention with Ivory Coast or Liberia, but also in the most remote places. And fortunately, these cases that were investigated, the samples were transported to the laboratory and tested negative. No later than the day before yesterday also, we were notified of an alert by our field teams, in Coyah. So, this case was also collected, tested negative in the laboratory. There are other alerts that we received and investigated. Some were not considered, and were classified. Because the team found and tested other diseases, in this case chickenpox. In Koundara, so the border with Senegal, also in Dubréka, here, not far from Conakry, there were suspected cases, let's say alerts that were reported to the investigation. And the teams concluded that there were other eruptive diseases, but different from MPOX. This is to say that we are here and the sensitivity of the system is there. The vigilance is there. We detect suspicious cases, so we are ready to face any eventuality.
Guineenews: In your response, it appears that the information that was given in the press release published by the government last week, that there are no cases of Mpox in Guinea, this information remains current?
Dr. Sory Condé: Yes, it is still relevant. You know, there are many things that we detect. But if we say everything, people will panic. There are suspicions, information that is sent back, alerts. The teams check and some, already at the verification, are downgraded as false alerts. And those that are considered real alerts mean that the investigation continues to the laboratory. Now, if the lab tests negative, these samples are downgraded, so we don't talk about them. We have had cases of suspicion that tested negative, so we have no cases of MPox to date in Guinea. And we hope that the situation will remain like this. We will still make sure that nothing escapes us. This is why, already, we have a preparation and response plan that was developed in three days with all the actors, both at the national level and with the partners, accompanied by a budget. So, the State is mobilizing the resources with the support of partners to make the system available.
Guineenews: Speaking of modes of contamination of the disease, are there currently guidelines that are being developed, which are not made available to the public, but which are ready to be?
Dr. Sory Condé: Yes, the guidelines are being developed of course. As I said, this is not the first time that we have found ourselves in this situation of increased surveillance regarding MPOX. We already have documents that have been developed in the past, disseminated. These same documents are in circulation. We have made them available to the field teams.
But there are colleagues in communication who have worked on a document for the general public, which will soon be published. There will be other modes of communication through the press so that the majority of the population is aware of what MPOX is, how it manifests itself, how it is contracted, how it can be avoided. And in case of suspicion, what to do, and the conduct to adopt.
Guineenews: As an illustration, can we know a little more about this method of prevention?
Dr. Sory Condé: You know, it's a viral disease. And the transmission is between humans. So to say that when someone has the disease, for the person to pass it on to another person, there would have to be direct contact. Either between the person and the sick person directly, or between the person and objects used by the sick person. That's the main mode of transmission of the disease. But there are also other modes of transmission that have been described, but which are not yet sufficiently understood, including sexual transmission, which could be a possibility. Some documents state that through kissing, men can contaminate each other.
There is also transmission through animals, because it is a zoonotic disease, so at the interface between humans and animals. So for the moment, these are modes of transmission that are described. And often in relation to certain diseases of this kind, the literature evolves.
It's like Ebola, at the beginning, there was a lot of information that we didn't have, but over time, research is done and discoveries are made. So, these are the preventive measures that we will ask the population to popularize and apply. It's like hemorrhagic fevers, at the same time, so hand washing, avoiding any contact with suspected people until the laboratory decides, and limiting contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or animal corpses. This could allow us to prevent, to be protected from these situations. But above all, it is necessary to contact 115 or go to the nearest health facility in case of suspicion.
Guineenews: It is true that we are currently acting as a preventative measure, but it turns out that potentially, there is a need for a lot of resources to deal with epidemics. At this stage, are the ANSS and its partners sufficiently equipped or at least ready to give themselves all the necessary resources to respond to a possible MPOX disease in Guinea?
Dr. Sory Condé: As I said, there was an emergency meeting at the ministry on the 15th, following which we developed our preparedness and response plan with the participation of all partners. We do not yet have everything we want and generally we do not have everything at once, everything we want. But there is still hope that this will be the case in a very short time. Because we have spoken with the partners who participated in the development of the plan, so they already consider this plan as theirs. And there are some who have positioned themselves for certain lines. There are also some who are working to support us in terms of molecules, the needs for medicines that we have expressed to strengthen the stock at the level of epidemic treatment centers. And today, we participated in the meeting that the West African Health Organization was kind enough to organize with the different countries. With the aim of seeing the arrangements made in each of the States. So this sub-regional entity is also willing to support countries in terms of training. There will be laboratory managers who will be trained in the mode of diagnosing the disease. Also, country care managers who will participate in series of training in terms of care. There could also be funds of up to $100,000 that each country could benefit from this organization. And it will have easy access to these funds. Without forgetting that on the national level, we have an opportunity. Because the President of the Republic signed not long ago the promulgation of the health security program. It is a large envelope of $106 million. So the country will be able to use it in the context of health security. This situation (threat of smallpox MPOX editor's note) will be a first that will benefit from this funding.
Guineenews: Technically, in the past, the country has faced certain difficulties because, from a laboratory point of view, it was always necessary to go and do the test abroad. At one point, there was the possibility of doing it here, and it was for exceptional cases or in any case of need for further investigation that the samples were sent abroad. What is the situation now?
Dr. Sory Condé: I think that one of the strengths of our system is the ability to technicalize the majority of samples of the diseases that we monitor. I spoke about this suspected case of Louma, the case of Coyah, it is the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) which houses within it the national reference laboratory that technicalized these samples. We have technical platforms capable of technicalizing these samples. We also have trained human resources who can do these laboratory confirmations. We have the national public health laboratory at the INSP, and others who are capable of doing it. This is the case of the hemorrhagic fever laboratory that was in Nongo, which is now at the Anta Nord hospital, the regional hospital in Conakry. There is the CERFIG (research and training center in infectious diseases in Guinea as well, the Pasteur Institute of Guinea… All these laboratories have the capacity to technically perform. We have samples that are on site. We will not need to send them elsewhere. Without forgetting that in Kindia, we have the CREMS (research center in epidemiology, microbiology and medical care), which also has qualified personnel and a technical platform well-stocked with reagents. For the moment, we still have what we need to technically perform all the samples related to this disease here.
Guineenews: Is there an aspect that we have not mentioned that needs to be addressed in this interview?
Dr. Sory Condé: I think I would like to end by sending a message to the population. It is for them that we are here, and I often say it, the ANSS is like the elite in the context of this response to diseases with epidemiological potential, so it is an elite army, but one that faces invisible enemies. And the population can count on us, we are working, doing everything so that the situation does not get out of hand. And we will do our utmost for prevention so that we do not record cases. And if by chance cases were recorded, to do the constituency as soon as possible, to avoid any spread, to undermine our way of life, as we experienced with COVID-19.
THANKS.
Interview by Thierno Souleymane Diallo & Mamadama Sylla
Prevention of monkeypox Mpox in Guinea: Dr Sory Condé, Director General of ANSS speaks (Interview)
Posted By: Mamadama Sylla Last Updated Friday, August 23, 2024 At 8:08 AM
Although it has not yet recorded any cases of MPOX, Guinea is not on the sidelines of the system being put in place to deal with the disease, which is now "classified as a public health emergency of international concern" by the WHO. In an interview with Guineenews, the Director General of ANSS (National Agency for Health Security) discussed the measures taken to increase prevention and organize a possible response. Dr. Sory Condé especially reassured of the proven effectiveness of a very alert system, thanks to efficient technical installations and qualified human resources.
...
Guineenews: Mr. Director General, in the past, the ANS has been the cornerstone in the fight against diseases with epidemic potential in Guinea. Now that MPOX has already been reported in two nearby countries, namely Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, what is being done at the ANSS level to prevent and possibly respond?
Dr. Sory Condé: Thank you very much. I would first like to correct you. If you say that the ANSS has been, it must be said that the ANSS is. We are the cornerstone of our system of prevention, preparation and response to epidemics. As part of the sharing of cross-border information with other countries, since the beginning of this month, we have had information with colleagues from Côte d'Ivoire on the situation prevailing there and which is evolving over time.
Since then, we have taken measures of the matter. It must be remembered that Africa has experienced cases... in the past. In 2023, there were suspicions in Guinea.
In 2022, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding MPOX. So, in all countries, we have strengthened preparedness and response measures. And on this occasion, we developed documents and made upgrades with our rapid response teams, which resulted in the detection of suspected cases, fortunately who tested negative. So, already since the beginning of this year again, we have brought out the same documents. We have warmed up.
We also reminded the teams of the appropriate measures in the context of prevention, preparation and response to possible Mpox epidemics. This has already led us to detect suspected cases. It should be noted that on the 14th of this month, while the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern, we had suspected cases in Lelouma, in a very distant prefecture of Côte d'Ivoire.
To say that the system works, it is a border prevention with Ivory Coast or Liberia, but also in the most remote places. And fortunately, these cases that were investigated, the samples were transported to the laboratory and tested negative. No later than the day before yesterday also, we were notified of an alert by our field teams, in Coyah. So, this case was also collected, tested negative in the laboratory. There are other alerts that we received and investigated. Some were not considered, and were classified. Because the team found and tested other diseases, in this case chickenpox. In Koundara, so the border with Senegal, also in Dubréka, here, not far from Conakry, there were suspected cases, let's say alerts that were reported to the investigation. And the teams concluded that there were other eruptive diseases, but different from MPOX. This is to say that we are here and the sensitivity of the system is there. The vigilance is there. We detect suspicious cases, so we are ready to face any eventuality.
Guineenews: In your response, it appears that the information that was given in the press release published by the government last week, that there are no cases of Mpox in Guinea, this information remains current?
Dr. Sory Condé: Yes, it is still relevant. You know, there are many things that we detect. But if we say everything, people will panic. There are suspicions, information that is sent back, alerts. The teams check and some, already at the verification, are downgraded as false alerts. And those that are considered real alerts mean that the investigation continues to the laboratory. Now, if the lab tests negative, these samples are downgraded, so we don't talk about them. We have had cases of suspicion that tested negative, so we have no cases of MPox to date in Guinea. And we hope that the situation will remain like this. We will still make sure that nothing escapes us. This is why, already, we have a preparation and response plan that was developed in three days with all the actors, both at the national level and with the partners, accompanied by a budget. So, the State is mobilizing the resources with the support of partners to make the system available.
Guineenews: Speaking of modes of contamination of the disease, are there currently guidelines that are being developed, which are not made available to the public, but which are ready to be?
Dr. Sory Condé: Yes, the guidelines are being developed of course. As I said, this is not the first time that we have found ourselves in this situation of increased surveillance regarding MPOX. We already have documents that have been developed in the past, disseminated. These same documents are in circulation. We have made them available to the field teams.
But there are colleagues in communication who have worked on a document for the general public, which will soon be published. There will be other modes of communication through the press so that the majority of the population is aware of what MPOX is, how it manifests itself, how it is contracted, how it can be avoided. And in case of suspicion, what to do, and the conduct to adopt.
Guineenews: As an illustration, can we know a little more about this method of prevention?
Dr. Sory Condé: You know, it's a viral disease. And the transmission is between humans. So to say that when someone has the disease, for the person to pass it on to another person, there would have to be direct contact. Either between the person and the sick person directly, or between the person and objects used by the sick person. That's the main mode of transmission of the disease. But there are also other modes of transmission that have been described, but which are not yet sufficiently understood, including sexual transmission, which could be a possibility. Some documents state that through kissing, men can contaminate each other.
There is also transmission through animals, because it is a zoonotic disease, so at the interface between humans and animals. So for the moment, these are modes of transmission that are described. And often in relation to certain diseases of this kind, the literature evolves.
It's like Ebola, at the beginning, there was a lot of information that we didn't have, but over time, research is done and discoveries are made. So, these are the preventive measures that we will ask the population to popularize and apply. It's like hemorrhagic fevers, at the same time, so hand washing, avoiding any contact with suspected people until the laboratory decides, and limiting contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or animal corpses. This could allow us to prevent, to be protected from these situations. But above all, it is necessary to contact 115 or go to the nearest health facility in case of suspicion.
Guineenews: It is true that we are currently acting as a preventative measure, but it turns out that potentially, there is a need for a lot of resources to deal with epidemics. At this stage, are the ANSS and its partners sufficiently equipped or at least ready to give themselves all the necessary resources to respond to a possible MPOX disease in Guinea?
Dr. Sory Condé: As I said, there was an emergency meeting at the ministry on the 15th, following which we developed our preparedness and response plan with the participation of all partners. We do not yet have everything we want and generally we do not have everything at once, everything we want. But there is still hope that this will be the case in a very short time. Because we have spoken with the partners who participated in the development of the plan, so they already consider this plan as theirs. And there are some who have positioned themselves for certain lines. There are also some who are working to support us in terms of molecules, the needs for medicines that we have expressed to strengthen the stock at the level of epidemic treatment centers. And today, we participated in the meeting that the West African Health Organization was kind enough to organize with the different countries. With the aim of seeing the arrangements made in each of the States. So this sub-regional entity is also willing to support countries in terms of training. There will be laboratory managers who will be trained in the mode of diagnosing the disease. Also, country care managers who will participate in series of training in terms of care. There could also be funds of up to $100,000 that each country could benefit from this organization. And it will have easy access to these funds. Without forgetting that on the national level, we have an opportunity. Because the President of the Republic signed not long ago the promulgation of the health security program. It is a large envelope of $106 million. So the country will be able to use it in the context of health security. This situation (threat of smallpox MPOX editor's note) will be a first that will benefit from this funding.
Guineenews: Technically, in the past, the country has faced certain difficulties because, from a laboratory point of view, it was always necessary to go and do the test abroad. At one point, there was the possibility of doing it here, and it was for exceptional cases or in any case of need for further investigation that the samples were sent abroad. What is the situation now?
Dr. Sory Condé: I think that one of the strengths of our system is the ability to technicalize the majority of samples of the diseases that we monitor. I spoke about this suspected case of Louma, the case of Coyah, it is the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) which houses within it the national reference laboratory that technicalized these samples. We have technical platforms capable of technicalizing these samples. We also have trained human resources who can do these laboratory confirmations. We have the national public health laboratory at the INSP, and others who are capable of doing it. This is the case of the hemorrhagic fever laboratory that was in Nongo, which is now at the Anta Nord hospital, the regional hospital in Conakry. There is the CERFIG (research and training center in infectious diseases in Guinea as well, the Pasteur Institute of Guinea… All these laboratories have the capacity to technically perform. We have samples that are on site. We will not need to send them elsewhere. Without forgetting that in Kindia, we have the CREMS (research center in epidemiology, microbiology and medical care), which also has qualified personnel and a technical platform well-stocked with reagents. For the moment, we still have what we need to technically perform all the samples related to this disease here.
Guineenews: Is there an aspect that we have not mentioned that needs to be addressed in this interview?
Dr. Sory Condé: I think I would like to end by sending a message to the population. It is for them that we are here, and I often say it, the ANSS is like the elite in the context of this response to diseases with epidemiological potential, so it is an elite army, but one that faces invisible enemies. And the population can count on us, we are working, doing everything so that the situation does not get out of hand. And we will do our utmost for prevention so that we do not record cases. And if by chance cases were recorded, to do the constituency as soon as possible, to avoid any spread, to undermine our way of life, as we experienced with COVID-19.
THANKS.
Interview by Thierno Souleymane Diallo & Mamadama Sylla
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