Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Malawi using telephone syndromic surveillance from July 2020 to April 2022.

Godfrey WoelkThulani MaphosaRhoderick MachekanoAnnie Chauma-MwaleLucky MakonokayaSuzgo B ZimbaRachel Kanyenda ChamangaRose NyirendaAndrew AuldEvelyn KimVeena SampathkumarAllan AhimbisibweLouiser KaliteraLindsay KimAlice Maida

Published in: BMJ global health (2024)

Telephonic surveillance indicated that the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases was at least twice as high as the number of confirmed cases in Malawi. Our findings also suggest a substantial under-reporting of SARS-CoV-2-related deaths. Telephonic surveillance has proven feasible in Malawi, achieving the ability to characterise SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality trends in low-resource settings.

Keyphrases

sars cov
public health
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
intellectual disability
autism spectrum disorder
adverse drug