Browsing by Author "Ekou, Justine"

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    Embracing One Health offers practical strategies in management of COVID-19 for Africa
    (The Pan African Medical Journal, 2020) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Mujinya, Regan; Bogere, Paul; Ekou, Justine; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ahimbisibwe, Salaviriuse; Matama, Kevin; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Ssimbwa, Godfrey; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Muyinda, Robert; Ssempijja, Fred; Matovu, Henry; MacLeod, Ewan; Anderson, Neil Euan; Welburn, Susan Christina
    The coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak has now affected over 60% of African countries in less than two months , gaining a foothold through major economic and transport hubs on the African continent including Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. Travel restrictions imposed against citizens from countries with major outbreaks including China, USA and those in Europe were too late . African Union member states as of early April 2020 are reporting 6,470 cases and 241 deaths from COVID-19 reporting growth as “close to exponential”. Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges the virus is an existential threat to African countries and that with local transmission now underway many would pass the 10,000-infection mark by the end of April. While the impact of wearing of face masks for control of COVID-19 remains controversial, it is inarguable that respiratory transmission needs to be prevented. Currently, there is a global shortage of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) and distribution is being rationed in developed countries to retain this for workers in the health system, showing that developing countries in Africa are bound to suffer more should the pandemic be mismanaged at these early stages. In addition, health systems in developing countries, already crippled from years of underinvestment will be compromised unless practical and realistic prevention strategies are put in place. China, Italy, France, UK and USA, all with sophisticated health systems, have found COVID-19 challenging. Infection is increasing across the African subcontinent and health systems will struggle as the pandemic sweeps into and across Africa.
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    Molecular Epidemiology of Anaplasmosis in Small Ruminants along a Human-Livestock-Wildlife Interface in Uganda
    (Heliyon, 2021) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Welburn, Susan Christina; Nalumenya, David Paul; Namayanja, Monica; Matama, Kevin; Zalwango, Kelly Katenta; Matovu, Wycliff; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ekou, Justine; Kembabazi, Stellamaris; Mugasa, Claire Mack; Kitibwa, Annah; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Mahero, Michael; Ssengendo, Ibrahim; Nanteza, Anne; Matovu, Enock; MacLeod, Ewan Thomas
    Information as regards the epidemiology of the Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants in several low- and middle-income countries is scarce. In this study a total of 712 DNA samples collected from small ruminants were analyzed for Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma ovis using the 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes respectively. Infection risk was assessed by location, sex and age of the animals and qGIS® was used to construct spatial maps. The prevalence of Anaplasmataceae spp was 89.1% (95% CI: 77.5–95.9) and 79.1% (95% CI: 75.9–82.1) in ovines and caprines respectively (RR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3); higher than those previously reported in other eastern African countries. The prevalence of A. ovis was 26.1% and 25.4% for both ovines and caprines respectively with ovines showing significantly higher levels of infection than caprines (P < 0.05). The risk of Anaplasma ovis infections was not affected by age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7) or sex (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6–2.0). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (<0.3 km) showed higher A. ovis prevalence than those found inland with infections present in the midland regions associated with increased agricultural activity. Anaplasma ovis remains a major challenge for small ruminant husbandry in Uganda and infections are under-reported. Policy efforts to prioritize management of Anaplasmataceae for small ruminant health would promote livestock productivity in vulnerable communities, improving livelihoods and ecosystem health.
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    Pandemic Panic and Anxiety in Developing Countries. Embracing One Health Offers Practical Strategies in Management of COVID-19 for Africa
    (The Pan African Medical Journal, 2020) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Mujinya, Regan; Bogere, Paul; Ekou, Justine; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ahimbisibwe, Salaviriuse; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo
    The coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak has now affected over 60% of African countries in less than two months [1], gaining a foothold through major economic and transport hubs on the African continent including Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. Travel restrictions imposed against citizens from countries with major outbreaks including China, USA and those in Europe were too late [2,3]. African Union member states as of early April 2020 are reporting 6,470 cases and 241 deaths from COVID-19 reporting growth as “close to exponential”.