Browsing by Author "Esau, Martin"

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    Anthrax Bio-surveillance of Livestock in Arua District, Uganda, 2017-2018
    (2017) Omodo, Michael; Gardela, Jaume; Namatovu, Alice; Ademun Okurut, Rose; Esau, Martin; Acham, Merab; Nakanjako, Maria Flavia; Mugezi, Israel; Isingoma, Emmauel; Mwanja, Moses; Lumu, Paul; Ssenkeera, Ben; Atim, Stella A.; Gonahasa, Doreen N.; Sekamatte, Musa; Gouilh, Meriadeg Ar; Gonzalez, Jean Paul
    Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a widespread zoonotic disease with many human cases, especially in developing countries. Even with its global distribution, anthrax is a neglected disease with scarce information about its actual impact on the community level. Due to the ecological dynamics of anthrax transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface, the Sub-Saharan Africa region becomes a high-risk zone for maintaining and acquiring the disease. In this regard, some subregions of Uganda are endemic to anthrax with regular seasonal trends. However, there is scarce data about anthrax outbreaks in Uganda. Here, we confirmed the presence of B. anthracis in several livestock samples after a suspected anthrax outbreak among livestock and humans in Arua District. Additionally, we explored the potential risk factors of anthrax through a survey within the community kraals. We provide evidence that the most affected livestock species during the Arua outbreak were cattle (86%) compared to the rest of the livestock species present in the area. Moreover, the farmers’ education level and the affection of people in the village were the most critical factors determining the disease’s knowledge and awareness. Consequently, the lack of understanding of the ecology of anthrax may contribute to the spread of the infection between livestock and humans, and it is critical to reducing the presence and persistence of the B. anthracis spores in the environment. Finally, we discuss the increasingly recognized necessity to strengthen global capacity using a One Health approach to prevent, detect, control, and respond to public threats in Uganda
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    Risk factors for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus exposure in farming communities in Uganda
    (Journal of Infection, 2022) Atim, Stella A.; Ashraf, Shirin; Ademun, Anna R.; Nakayiki, Teddy; Balinandi, Stephen; Nakanjako, Gladys; Abaasa, Andrew; Odongo, Steven; Esau, Martin; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Lutwama, Julius J.; Masembe, Charles; Lambe, Teresa; Tweyongyere, Robert
    Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an emerging human-health threat causing sporadic outbreaks in livestock farming communities. However, the full extent and the risks associated with exposure of such communities has not previously been well-described. We collected blood samples from 800 humans, 666 cattle, 549 goats and 32 dogs in districts within and outside Ugandan cattle corridor in a cross-sectional survey, and tested for CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays. Sociodemographic and epidemiological data were recorded using structured questionnaire. Ticks were collected to identify circulating nairoviruses by metagenomic sequencing. CCHFV seropositivity was in 221/800 (27·6%) in humans, 612/666 (91·8%) in cattle, 413/549 (75·2%) in goats and 18/32 (56·2%) in dogs. Human seropositivity was associated with livestock farming (AOR=5·68, p<0·0001), age (AOR=2·99, p=0·002) and collecting/eating engorged ticks (AOR=2·13, p=0·004). In animals, seropositivity was higher in cattle versus goats (AOR=2·58, p<0·0001), female sex (AOR=2·13, p=0·002) and heavy tick infestation (>50 ticks: AOR=3·52, p=0·004). CCHFV was identified in multiple tick pools of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus.