Food and waterborne parasites in Africa - threats and opportunities

Lucy J Robertson,Simbarashe Chitanga,Samson Mukaratirwa

doi:10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00093

Abstract

This Special Issue (SI) was conceptualized on the basis that success in tackling foodborne and waterborne parasites (FBP and WBP) will contribute to achievement of seven of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We chose to take a closer look at research on FBP and WBP in Africa, given that attaining these SDGs may be particularly challenging there.In this SI we present 7 articles that provide particular insights into FBP and WBP from different regions in Africa. The articles take different approaches. Three papers are reviews addressing “occurrence” (either widely, in terms of parasite and/or geography, or with focus on a specific parasite genus at a more regional level); all 3 articles emphasise the importance of a “One Health” approach regarding control and prevention of FBP and WBP, and the need for further research to fulfil the information gaps identified. Two articles then report on investigations regarding the knowledge and understanding of different communities in Africa regarding various FBP and WBP. These articles highlight lack of awareness among communities at risk, and also, perhaps of greater relevance, gaps in the knowledge of health workers regarding some FBP and WBP of public health importance. The final two articles are research articles regarding prevalence and occurrence of specific WBP, both as infections and in the environment.This SI, while limited in depth and scope, provides insights into some of the current challenges associated with FBP and WBP in Africa that might result in a lack of success regarding attainment of the previously mentioned seven SDGs. We anticipate significant advances in research on FBP and WBP in Africa, and hope that a future SI on the same topic may present a more positive picture regarding the current status and research achievements.

Highlights

Africa is a vast continent, and any attempt to summarise particular characteristics of its land area of over 30 million km2, covering myriad climate areas and ecological zones, and with over 50 countries and more than 15% of the world's population, is doomed to failure
The idea for this Special Issue (SI) was partly instigated following discussion around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN), which were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015
Among the 17 SDG, at least 7 (#1, #2, #3, #6, #13, #14, #15) are linked directly to threats and outcomes that may be associated with food and water, which are potential conduits for parasite transmission, whereas others have a more oblique association with FBP or WBP (e.g., SDG#4 “Quality Education” – it is well established that a child with worms may be unable to reach full educational potential)

Summary

Introduction

Africa is a vast continent, and any attempt to summarise particular characteristics of its land area of over 30 million km2, covering myriad climate areas and ecological zones, and with over 50 countries and more than 15% of the world's population, is doomed to failure. The first group consists of three review articles that address occurrence, two of which overlap slightly; the one providing an African perspective of protozoan parasites that may be transmitted via food or water (Siwila et al, 2020; this issue) and the other a scoping review of waterborne parasitic infections in East Africa (Ngowi, 2020; this issue).

Results

Conclusion