The African Network for improved Diagnostics, Epidemiology and Management of Common Infectious Agents – ANDEMIA represents a transnational strategy to research and combat acute respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections, acute febrile disease of unknown cause and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Although many international networks give support to programs related to the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis, malaria and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Africa, rarely have international consortia focused on developing and strengthening capacity for the comprehensive surveillance of common infectious diseases, although recent studies demonstrate that they are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in SSA, mostly in children.

ANDEMIA will establish a sentinel surveillance system through which relevant data will be gathered from not only urban, but also remote rural sentinel clinics within the African partner countries Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo und Republic South Africa. We employ a One Health approach by also investigating zoonotic and environmental pathogen reservoirs.