Angola's Plant Diseases: Understanding The Threats And Challenges

Angola is a tropical African nation with a wide variety of ecosystems and microclimates. Due to its location, the country's climate is ideal for many tropical diseases. Angola has a narrow coastal plain that rises into a high plateau in its interior. Rainforests are prevalent in the north, while the south is dry. The country is home to a number of endemic plant species, including grasses, herbs, and unique plant specimens.

Angola's diverse ecosystems and microclimates make it susceptible to several plant diseases. Some of the most common diseases affecting plants in Angola include yellow fever, malaria, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. These diseases are often spread through mosquito bites or contaminated food and water sources.

The prevalence of these diseases has significant impacts on the country's health and economy, requiring continued international aid and attention.

Yellow fever

Angola is a tropical African nation with a variety of ecosystems and microclimates. Due to its location, the climate is ideal for many tropical diseases, including yellow fever. The disease was first recognised in the country in the 1930s, with sizeable outbreaks occurring in 1971 and 1988.

In 2015-2016, Angola experienced a resurgence of yellow fever, with 3,552 suspected cases, including 875 laboratory-confirmed cases and 355 deaths, reported from all 18 provinces. This outbreak developed into the biggest and most widespread yellow fever epidemic recorded in Africa in decades.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Angolan Ministry of Health to vaccinate all people older than 6 months in the capital city of Luanda and the surrounding province. Vaccination is the key prevention measure, and a single dose provides lifelong immunity. However, there is currently a global shortage of the yellow fever vaccine.

To prevent outbreaks, vaccination coverage must reach at least 80% of the population. The Angolan government faces challenges in developing an effective healthcare system due to a lack of infrastructure and rapid urbanisation. As a result, healthcare is not available in much of the country.

Malaria

The prevalence of malaria among children under five years of age has stagnated at about 14% from 2011 to 2015-2016. According to a 2020 survey, 3.7% of participants with a fever actually had malaria, and only a few participants with malaria had travelled outside of Luanda.

Angola has implemented several interventions to prevent and control malaria, including the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. Despite these efforts, challenges such as population displacement, drug resistance, and limited resources continue to hinder progress towards malaria elimination.

Typhoid fever

The infection is characterised by fever, headaches, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to intestinal perforation and even death.

Vaccination is a key preventive measure, and the vaccine is highly effective. The oral vaccine lasts for five years and must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in the refrigerator.

The CDC and WHO recommend typhoid vaccination for travellers to Angola. Proof of vaccination may be required for entry, and those who do not have proof may be sent home or quarantined for up to ten days.

Hepatitis A

In this study, traditional healers used various plants to treat hepatitis. The most frequently cited anti-hepatitis medicinal plants were Rumex nepalensis, Vangueria apiculata, and Solanum incanum. Remedies were commonly prepared by crushing or powdering, mixing them with water, and taken orally.

The suppression of serum levels of HBV-DNA was observed after treatment with a combination of different extracts of herbal medicines by traditional healers. The suppression effects were detected in individuals treated with the combination of R. nepalensis and S. incanum, and the combination of R. nepalensis and A. abyssinicus. Similarly, the serum HBV-DNA suppression effects were also observed in individuals treated with the combination of R. nepalensis, C. macrostachyus, and V. apiculata, and the combination of B.antidysenterica with S. incanum. These suppression effects observed by extracts of these plants might be associated with the presence of chemical ingredients that have antihepatitis properties.

HIV/AIDS

Angola has a large HIV/AIDS-infected population, but it has one of the lowest prevalence rates in Southern Africa. The country has made progress in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS since 2003, with an estimated 280,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in 2016, corresponding to a prevalence of approximately 2.2% among adults aged 15–49.

While the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS is a top health priority in Angola, there are still barriers to overcome when dealing with HIV prevention, including a high rate of sex at an early age, a lack of access to condoms and adequate healthcare, a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and high rates of commercial sex work.

In Angola, HIV is transmitted primarily through heterosexual sex with multiple partners, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.8:1, indicating that women are more likely to be infected than men. Contaminated needles, medical devices, and blood transfusions are the second-largest spreaders of HIV/AIDS.

There is a significant amount of work being done in Angola to combat the epidemic, but most aid is coming from outside of the country.

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