With funding from the Department of Defense Naval Medical Research Unit-3 (NAMRU-3) based in Egypt, HEADA, in collaboration with the Military Health Research Center (CRESAR) actively contributes to combating malaria and acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses (AUFI) through targeted epidemiological surveillance in Cameroon. The project’s primary goals are enhancing early detection of malaria and other febrile diseases and strengthening the local health system’s response capabilities.
Throughout 2024, surveillance activities enrolled 1,044 patients, with 426 samples collected in Yaoundé and 618 in Douala. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) identified 70 positive malaria cases in Yaoundé and 202 in Douala, whereas microscopic examinations confirmed 209 positive cases in Yaoundé and 233 in Douala, demonstrating the importance of integrated diagnostic approaches for accuracy.
Additionally, the initiative has substantially enhanced local healthcare capacity through specialized training on diagnosing and managing acute febrile illnesses and through laboratory infrastructure improvements. This comprehensive approach supports sustainable public health development and effective infectious disease control in Cameroon.