WHO and Africa CDC launch COVID-19 laboratories Network

Addis Ababa, September 11, 2020 (FBC) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have launched a new laboratory that will reinforce genome sequencing of coronavirus in Africa.

The initiative seeks to study the possible mutations of the virus in order to prepare better responses in public health.

Experts from the WHO and the Africa CDC believe tht the move will help countries understand the different strains of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, in order in improve the countries’ responses, treatment or possible vaccines and make them more relevant to the continent’s population.

Twelve specialized laboratories will join the network in Africa. Ten different lineages have been identified so far in the continent.

BBC