Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increasingly spread in low and middle income countries (LMIC). In the absence of effective treatments or vaccines, the WHO strongly recommends that countries implement interventions to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19, through minimizing contact between infected and uninfected persons. Suggested measures include lockdowns, closing schools and public places, prohibition of social gatherings, and stringent personal methods of physical distancing, wearing face masks and hand hygiene.

Most governments in LMICs, in an early phase of the epidemic, have implemented lockdown measurements. Such interventions were typically modelled on the COVID-19 outbreaks in high-income countries. Concerns have, however, been raised that the pandemic follows very different trajectories in different contexts, and that a “one size fits all” approach for non-pharmaceutical interventions may not be appropriate, as the risk–benefit balance of such interventions may be very different in different settings. Although the early implementation of lockdown measures for COVID-19 control may have contributed to the (initially) low mortality observed in several LMICs, the collateral damage resulting from this strategy is becoming increasingly apparent. Moreover, lockdown measures are more detrimental to those with the least resources.

Since many LMIC countries are now easing lockdown measures, the number of COVID-19 cases is likely to increase rapidly. We have already learnt a lot about COVID-19, but there are still many unknowns: the one constant feature of the COVID-19 pandemic is its unpredictability. The main operational as well as research question for LMIC is how to reduce COVID-19 transmission and COVID-related mortality, with minimal collateral damage to the economy, the wellbeing of people, and the prevention and control of other diseases.

With this Special Issue, we hope to learn from LMICs, to identify the most effective combination of measures to reduce the incidence of severe COVID-19 disease. We invite you to submit research articles, review articles, short notes about the epidemiology of COVID-19 in LMICs, innovative ways to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection in settings with limited resources, adherence to preventive measures, the impact of COVID-19 on both the physiological and psychological wellbeing of people and the health system, host–pathogen interactions, COVID-19 diagnostics, host immune responses, and vaccine development.

The “COVID-19 in Low and Middle Income Countries” Special Issue is jointly organized between “Pathogens” and “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” journals. You may choose our Joint Special Issue in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

We look forward to your contribution.

References

1. El-Sadr, W.M.; Justman, J. Africa in the Path of Covid-19. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020, 383, e11.
2. Siewe Fodjo, J. N.; Pengpid, S.; Villela, E.; Van Thang, V.; Ahmed, M.; Ditekemena, J.; Crespo, B.V.; Wanyenze, R.K.; Dula, J.; Watanabe, T.; et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle income countries. J. Infect. 2020, S0163-4453(20)30489-8.
3. Nepomnyashchiy, L.; Dahn, B.; Saykpah, R.; Raghavan, M. COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems. Lancet 2020, 396, 150–152.
4. Mutesa, L.; Ndishimye, P.; Butera, Y.; Souopgui, J.; Uwineza, A.; Rutayisire, R.; Musoni, E.; Rujeni, N.; Nyatanyi, T.; Ntagwabira, E.; et al. A strategy for finding people infected with SARS-CoV-2: optimizing pooled testing at low prevalence. Nature, 2020, (2020-05-08724, Under revision - http://arxiv.org/abs/2004.14934)

Prof. Dr. Robert Colebunders
Prof. Dr. Jacob Souopgui
Guest Editors

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• COVID-19
• epidemiology
• prevention
• diagnosis
• treatment
• pathogenesis
• immunology
• low and middle income countries

• COVID-19 in Low and Middle Income Countries in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (10 articles)