From Air to the Land: Aviation, Disease Transmission, and Public Health Systems in Africa, 1945–2020

This study examines the role of aviation in the spread of communicable diseases in Africa from 1945 to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, aviation has been characterized as a tool of warfare, colonial control, and a means of facilitating the rapid movement of goods and people. In Africa, aviation has served diverse purposes, from supporting colonial administration to advancing modern economic development. While extensive research has focused on the economic significance of aviation and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, its role in transmitting infectious diseases across the continent has received comparatively little attention.

Following the Second World War, the Allies constructed airstrips and established air routes across Africa, initially for military purposes. These developments rapidly increased connectivity, which, while beneficial in fostering integration, also heightened Africa's vulnerability to transcontinental diseases. This expanded integration into global transportation networks fundamentally reshaped the continent’s epidemiological landscape, introducing significant health challenges. This paper argues that aviation has been a key driver in the rapid spread of diseases to and within Africa, thus creating significant challenges for the African Union’s efforts to eliminate socio-economic fragmentation. Utilizing archival and secondary sources from institutions such as the World Health Organization and the African Union, it employs a historical analysis to trace aviation's impact on African public health.

In light of aviation's role as a conduit for global health risks and the potential for future occurrence, as emphasized by the Centers for Disease Control, the study underscores the urgent need for African nations to strengthen pandemic preparedness and resilience. By examining the historical and policy dimensions of aviation’s impact on public health, this study provides critical insights into the intersection of global transportation networks and disease control, offering valuable strategies for addressing future global health challenges in an interconnected world.