Publications by authors named "Edson Katushabe"
Objectives: In this study, we investigated the causes of measles-like illnesses (MLI) in the Uganda national surveillance program in order to inform diagnostic assay selection and vaccination strategies.
Methods: We used metagenomic next-generation sequencing (M-NGS) on the Illumina platform to identify viruses associated with MLI (defined as fever and rash in the presence of either cough, coryza or conjunctivitis) in patient samples that had tested IgM negative for measles between 2010 and 2019.
Results: Viral genomes were identified in 87/271 (32%) of samples, of which 44/271 (16%) contained 12 known viral pathogens.
Background: The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute.
Objectives: The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda.
The success of the global polio eradication initiative is threatened by the genetic instability of the oral polio vaccine, which can result in the emergence of pathogenic vaccine-derived polioviruses following prolonged replication in the guts of individuals with primary immune deficiencies or in communities with low vaccination coverage. Through environmental surveillance, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in Uganda in the absence of detection by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. This underscores the sensitivity of environmental surveillance and emphasizes its usefulness in supplementing AFP surveillance for poliovirus infections in the race towards global polio eradication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in the country. We describe Uganda's experience in EVD preparedness.
Results: On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and coordinate EVD preparedness in the country.
Article Synopsis
- The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was implemented in Uganda to enhance the management of infectious diseases, but challenges remain despite improvements in reporting and response following training in 2015-2016.
- Health workers reported positive outcomes such as better case detection and data analysis but identified obstacles like insufficient trained staff, funding issues, and high turnover rates.
- Recommendations to enhance IDSR effectiveness include incorporating training in pre-service education, establishing mentorship programs, and securing more funding for district-level support.
Background: Uganda is a low income country that continues to experience disease outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging diseases such as cholera, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid and viral haemorrhagic fevers. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was adopted by WHO-AFRO in 1998 as a comprehensive strategy to improve disease surveillance and response in WHO Member States in Africa and was adopted in Uganda in 2000. To address persistent inconsistencies and inadequacies in the core and support functions of IDSR, Uganda initiated an IDSR revitalisation programme in 2012.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: On 28 March, 2016, the Ministry of Health received a report on three deaths from an unknown disease characterized by fever, jaundice, and hemorrhage which occurred within a one-month period in the same family in central Uganda. We started an investigation to determine its nature and scope, identify risk factors, and to recommend eventually control measures for future prevention.
Methods: We defined a probable case as onset of unexplained fever plus ≥1 of the following unexplained symptoms: jaundice, unexplained bleeding, or liver function abnormalities.
Background: Uganda adopted and has been implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance (IDSR) strategy since 2000. The goal was to build the country's capacity to detect, report promptly, and effectively respond to public health emergencies and priorities. The considerable investment into the program startup realised significant IDSR core performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV or Sabin) is genetically unstable and may mutate to form vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs).
Methods: In 2014, two VDPVs type 2 were identified during routine surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases. Consequently, a retrospective VDPV survey was conducted to ensure that there was no circulating VDPV in the country.