Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs in sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2010: need, the process, and prospects.

As of 2010 sub-Saharan Africa had approximately 865 million inhabitants living with numerous public health challenges. Several public health initiatives [e.g.

Challenges of establishing the correct diagnosis of outbreaks of acute febrile illnesses in Africa: the case of a likely Brucella outbreak among nomadic pastoralists, northeast Kenya, March-July 2005.

An outbreak of acute febrile illness was reported among Somali pastoralists in remote, arid Northeast Kenya, where drinking raw milk is common. Blood specimens from 12 patients, collected mostly in the late convalescent phase, were tested for viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. All were negative for viral and typhoid serology.

Epidemiology and risk factors for serogroup X meningococcal meningitis during an outbreak in western Kenya, 2005-2006.

The epidemiology of serogroup X meningococcal meningitis in Africa is unknown. During a serogroup X meningococcus outbreak in Kenya, case finding involved record review at health facilities and interviews with health workers and community leaders in West Pokot district. An age- and location-matched case-control study for risk factors was done.

Laboratory epidemiologist: skilled partner in field epidemiology and disease surveillance in Kenya.

Although for over 20 years the Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) have provided a model for building epidemiology capacity in Ministries of Health worldwide, the model does not address laboratory training and its integration with epidemiology. To overcome this, Kenya added a laboratory management component in 2004, creating the first field epidemiology and laboratory training program (FELTP) to train both medical and laboratory epidemiologists. Laboratory management and epidemiology candidates were recruited from among degree-holding scientists at the Ministry of Health and trained in both applied epidemiology and laboratory management using a combination of short courses and extensive field placements.

Rapid spread of Vibrio cholerae O1 throughout Kenya, 2005.

Between January and June 2005, 5 distinct cholera outbreaks occurred in Kenya. Overall, 990 cases and 25 deaths (2.5%) were reported.

Buruli ulcer in Ghana: results of a national case search.

A national search for cases of Buruli ulcer in Ghana identified 5,619 patients, with 6,332 clinical lesions at various stages. The overall crude national prevalence rate of active lesions was 20.7 per 100,000, but the rate was 150.