UNIPH Quarterly Epidemiological Bulletin (UQEB) Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-March 2018
Dear Reader, Welcome to Issue One of the Third Volume of the UQEB. In this issue, we present reports on the investigation of the cholera outbreak in Hoima District; the malaria epidemic in Kisoro District; mumps in a children home in Wakiso District; and deaths due to consumption of food laced with a poisonous chemical in Sironko District. Also in the issue are three policy briefs, namely: Combating Resistance to Insecticides; Alternative Approaches in Sustaining the Relevance of Vector Control Strategies; and Increase vaccination against meningococcal meningitis to areas outside the meningitis belt. In case you would like to access original references used in this issue, feel free to contact us at: dokethwangu@musph.ac.ug OR dkadobera@musph.ac.ug We will appreciate any feedback regarding the content and general outlook of this issue and look forward to hearing from you. We hope this will be both an informative and enjoyable reading to you. Thank You
Articles in this Issue Events in Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-March 2018 Highlights in Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-March 2018
Re-Enforcing Tetanus Toxoid Containing Vaccine Booster Doses Among Males — A Policy Brief
Summary
Tetanus is a nervous system disorder characterized by muscle spasms caused by toxin producing anaerobe Clostridium tetani found in the soil. The efforts worldwide towards the goal of elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus has…
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Cluster of Deaths Due to Consumption Of QuiNalphos in Sironko District, Uganda-November 2017
Summary
Quinalphos is an organophosphate chemical chiefly used as a pesticide. It is ranked moderately hazardous in the World Health Organization's acute hazard ranking and its use is either banned or restricted in most nations. We…
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Increase Vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis to areas Outside the Meningitis Belt: Lessons…
Summary
Meningococcal meningitis occurs globally but the highest burden is in the Meningitis belt of Sub-Saharan Africa. Some parts of Northern and Western Uganda are found in the meningitis belt. The disease is transmitted from person to…
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Combating Resistance to Insecticides: Alternative Approaches in Sustaining the Relevance of Vector…
Summary
Resistance to insecticides by malaria vectors is an emerging threat in malaria-endemic countries that threatens gains so far achieved in control of the epidemic. The effectiveness of vector control strategies are largely dependent…
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Mumps Outbreak in a Children’s Home, Wakiso District, August 2017
Summary
On the 28 July 2017, Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Uganda received an alert of 12 suspected cases of mumps among children in a Children’s Home with a school in Wakiso District. We investigated to verify the existence…
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Malaria Outbreak in Kisooro District, January, 2018
Summary
Malaria is a febrile illness liable for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Analysis of DHIS2 data revealed an upsurge in malaria cases in Kisoro District in December 2017 and January 2018. We investigated this outbreak to…
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Cholera Outbreak in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Hoima, Uganda, 2018
Summary
On 15 February 2018, Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) was notified of 3 suspected cholera deaths in Kyangwali refugee settlement, Hoima District, Western Uganda. Following the alert, the MOH confirmed Vibrio cholerae by culture and…
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Routine Mass Vaccination of Livestock to curb Cutaneous Anthrax Outbreaks in Arua District, Uganda…
Summary
During May–June 2017, Arua District reported three suspected cutaneous anthrax patients (one death). All had recently handled meat from livestock that spontaneously died. A skin lesion from the deceased person and a blood…
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Increasing cases of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis associated with poor adherence to first-line…
Summary
Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is infection with strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin. Compared to drug-susceptible tuberculosis, treatment of MDR-TB is a lengthy and…
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Highlights in Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-March 2018
Close-Down of the Second Universal Coverage Campaign for Long Lasting Insecticidal…
The universal coverage campaign (UCC) for long lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLINs) came to a close on the 17…
Events in Volume 3 Issue 1 Jan-March 2018
Upcoming Health Events Volume 3 Issue 1 March 2018
World Health Day: April 7, 2018
This is the global health awareness day, first observed on Apr 7, 1948. The aim of this day is to spread awareness on health and well-being. This year’s theme is ‘Universal Health Coverage: Everyone,…
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Editorial Team
Dr. Patrick K. Tusiime | Commissioner, National Disease Control, MoH Mr. Steven Ssendagire | Epidemiologist, Epidemiology & Surveillance Division, MoH Dr. Alex Ario Riolexus | Coordinator, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH Mr. Daniel Kadobera | Field Supervisor, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH
Dr. Benon Kwesiga | Field Supervisor, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, MoH Ms. Doreen Birungi| PHFP Fellow, Expanded Program on Immunization, MoH Ms. Joyce Nguna| PHFP Fellow, Expanded Program on Immunization, MoH Mr. Denis Okethwangu| PHFP Fellow, National Malaria Control Program, MoH