UPHB Volume 9 Issue 1 January-March 2024
Dear Reader,
We take great pleasure in welcoming you to Issue 1 Volume 9 of the Uganda Public Health Bulletin.
Articles in this Issue Highlights Volume 9 Issue 1 Jan-Mar 2024 Events Volume 9 Issue 1 Jan-Mar 2024
Anthrax outbreak associated with consumption and handling of meat from suddenly dead cattle, Kabira…
Summary
Background: In November 2023, a strange illness was reported in Kabira Sub-County Kyotera District, characterized by itching, rash, swelling, and skin lesions. Subsequent investigation confirmed the illness as anthrax. We…
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Anthrax outbreaks in western Uganda: The role of illegal meat dealers in spreading the infection,…
Summary
Background: From 2017–2022, Uganda experienced nineteen human anthrax outbreaks, all associated with handling or eating meat from cows found dead. Dealers in such meat (illegal meat dealers) may facilitate the spread of anthrax…
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Measles outbreak at a refugee settlement, Kiryandongo District, Uganda, July–October 2023
Summary
Introduction: Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that mostly affects children. On 28 August 2023, the Ministry of Health was notified of an outbreak of measles in Kiryandongo, a refugee hosting district located in Western…
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Application of genomic sequencing in a disease outbreak investigation; A case of cholera in Kayunga…
Summary
Background: On 19 July 2023, Uganda declared a Cholera outbreak in districts of Kayunga and Namayingo. We describe how we used genomic sequencing to ascertain the causative agents and drug resistance profile in this outbreak…
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Measles Outbreak in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda, February–June 2023
Summary
Background: Measles is the most common cause of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks in Uganda. On April 28, 2023, the Ministry of Health was notified of a measles outbreak in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda. We investigated…
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Outbreak of Rift Valley Fever among herdsmen linked to contact with body fluids of infected animals…
Summary
Background: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis which occurs sporadically in Uganda. On July 24, 2023, a 24-year-old male para-veterinarian from Kimotozi village, Nakaseke District presented to Mengo Hospital with a 5-day…
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Rotavirus outbreak linked to poor hygiene practices at a babies’ home in Mpigi District, Uganda,…
Summary
Background: In Uganda, the rotavirus vaccine for children <5 years was introduced in 2018. By 2022, rotavirus as a cause of acute diarrhea among children had decreased by 40%. On August 10, 2023, the Uganda Ministry of Health…
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Cholera outbreak associated with drinking contaminated lake shore water, Namayingo District, Uganda,…
Summary
Background: On July 24, 2023 Uganda’s Ministry of Health confirmed a cholera outbreak on Sigulu Island, Namayingo District. We investigated to determine its magnitude, identify possible exposures and recommend evidence-based…
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Cholera outbreak associated with drinking contaminated river water in Kayunga District, Uganda,…
Summary
Background: Cholera is endemic in Uganda with cases reported annually. On July 19, 2023, the Uganda Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in Kayunga District following death of four family members within eight days and…
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Uptake and completion of tuberculosis preventive therapy among people living with HIV on…
Summary
Background: In 2015, Uganda adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Tuberculosis (TB) prevention among PLHIV. Accordingly, the country has implemented several initiatives to scale up TB preventive therapy…
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Food Poisoning Outbreak caused by Bacillus Cereus at a Secondary School in Mukono District, Uganda,…
Summary
Introduction: Bacillus cereus is a foodborne bacterial pathogen that causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea; incubation is typically 4-16 hours. On July 20, 2023, the Ministry of Health was notified of a suspected food poisoning…
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Highlights
Health Informatics Fellowship Program Opportunity-Apply Now!
Background
Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US…
Uganda Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign Phase 2, April 2-8, 2024
Introduction
Uganda is a yellow fever endemic country with high-risk of transmission. The country introduced…
Uganda switches from Rotarix rotavirus vaccine to Rotasiil: Introducing a 3-dose…
Background
Uganda introduced the Rota Virus Vaccine (Rotarix) a 2 dose schedule into the RI schedule in June 2018…
The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program Field Epidemiology and Laboratory…
Since 2015, the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program (PHFP), the capacity building arm of the Uganda National…
Up coming events Vol 9 Issue 1
19th June – World Sickle Cell Day
On 19th June every year marks the commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
The goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and…
9th June – World Blood Donor Day
The commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day is meant to raise awareness about patients requiring lifelong transfusion support and emphasize the role every single person can play by donating blood.
The objectives are to celebrate and…
22nd May – World Preeclampsia Day
On 22nd May, is World Preeclampsia Day and its commemoration is intended to raise awareness about this severe and dangerous pregnancy complication, to facilitate its timely detection and management.
Preeclampsia is dangerous and…
17th May – World Hypertension Day
On 17th May, countries celebrate the World Hypertension Day. It is intended to highlight the importance of monitoring blood pressure and raising awareness about hypertension.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is defined as…
7th May – World Asthma Day
Every year, 1st Tuesday of May, countries commemorate the World Asthma to raise awareness of Asthma in their communities.
The theme of this year’s World Asthma Day celebration is “Asthma Education Empowers”.
Emphasis will be put on the…
25th April – World Malaria Day
On 25th April, every year was designated by World Health Organization Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.
The commemoration is intended to raise community awareness and highlight the need for continued investment and…
24th to 30th April – World Immunization week
The World Health Organization designated 24th to 30th April, every year as the World Immunization week.
The goal is for more children, adults, and their communities to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, thus living healthier…
17th April – World Hemophilia Day
Every year on April 17, the world commemorates the World Hemophilia Day. The theme of the event this year is “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders”.
Hemophilia is usually an inherited bleeding disorder in which…
1st to 30th April – International Cesarean Awareness Month
The entire month of April, every year is globally recognized and celebrated as the International Cesarean Awareness Month.
It is intended to promote maternal-child health by raising awareness about the dangers of unnecessary cesarean…
Editorial Team
Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario | Director, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Director, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH, Editor in Chief, UPHB Lilian Bulage | Scientific Writer, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH and Scientific Editor, UPHB Dr. Issa Makumbi | Manager, National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, MoH Paul Edward Okello | Country Coordinator, Data Impact Program, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, MoH Dr. Benon Kwesiga | Program Coordinator - Advanced Field Epi, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH
Dr. Richard Migisha | Field Coordinator - Advanced Field Epi, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH Samuel Gidudu | Program Coordinator - Laboratory Leadership, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH Dr. Yasiini Nuwamanya | UPHFP - Advanced Epi Fellow, UNIPH, MOH Dr. John Rek | UPHFP - Advanced Epi Fellow, UNIPH, MOH Annet Martha Nankya | UPHFP - Laboratory Leadership Fellow, UNIPH, MoH
Should you have any questions or require additional information related to articles in this bulletin please contact us on: ynuwamanya@uniph.go.ug, jrek@uniph.go.ug, anankya@uniph.go.ug, lbulage@uniph.go.ug. We hope you find this information valuable and we shall appreciate any feedback from you. Thank you