Browsing by Author "Eyu, Patricia"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Investigation of Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Kween District, Eastern Uganda, 2017
    (PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2019) Ario, Alex Riolexus; Makumbi, Issa; Nkonwa, Innocent Herbert; Eyu, Patricia; Opio, Denis Nixon; Nakiire, Lydia; Kwesiga, Benon; Kadobera, Daniel; Tusiime, Patrick; Bulage, Lilian; Zhu, Bao-Ping; Aceng, Jane Ruth
    In October 2017, a blood sample from a resident of Kween District, Eastern Uganda, tested positive for Marburg virus. Within 24 hour of confirmation, a rapid outbreak response was initiated. Here, we present results of epidemiological and laboratory investigations.A district task force was activated consisting of specialised teams to conduct case finding, case management and isolation, contact listing and follow up, sample collection and testing, and community engagement. An ecological investigation was also carried out to identify the potential source of infection. Virus isolation and Next Generation sequencing were performed to identify the strain of Marburg virus.Seventy individuals (34 MVD suspected cases and 36 close contacts of confirmed cases) were epidemiologically investigated, with blood samples tested for MVD. Only four cases met the MVD case definition; one was categorized as a probable case while the other three were confirmed cases. A total of 299 contacts were identified; during follow- up, two were confirmed as MVD. Of the four confirmed and probable MVD cases, three died, yielding a case fatality rate of 75%. All four cases belonged to a single family and 50% (2/4) of the MVD cases were female. All confirmed cases had clinical symptoms of fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding from body orifices. Viral sequences indicated that the Marburg virus strain responsible for this outbreak was closely related to virus strains previously shown to be circulating in Uganda.This outbreak of MVD occurred as a family cluster with no additional transmission outside of the four related cases. Rapid case detection, prompt laboratory testing at the Uganda National VHF Reference Laboratory and presence of pre-trained, well-prepared national and district rapid response teams facilitated the containment and control of this outbreak within one month, preventing nationwide and global transmission of the disease.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Training Needs for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, Surveillance and Control in High-Risk and Resource-Constrained Settings: Findings and Recommendations for Uganda
    (ResearchSquare, 2022) Asingura, Bannet; Kiweewa, Francis; Kaawa-Mafigiri, David; Achabo, Sheila; Mimbe, Derrick; Okullo, Allen Eva; Eyu, Patricia; Nanyondo, Jauhara; Naluyima, Prossy; Kandole, Martha; Tindikahwa, Allan; Nalunga, Justine; Ssekitoleko, Mathias; Nakakeeto, Josephine; Nawatti, Jesca; Kibirige, Daniel; Nansalire, Winfred
    Uganda is prone to Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) which can cause serious epidemics and pandemics. Uganda’s capacity for EID research, surveillance and control is improving but still low partly due to inadequate highly knowledgeable and skilled human and animal health workers. To inform the design of training programs that can address Uganda’s health workforce capacity gaps, we conducted a training needs assessment.A qualitative study involving a desk review, 25 key informant interviews and a 1-day consultative workshop to review study findings.The majority of infectious disease research, surveillance and control in Uganda focuses on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and viral hemorrhagic fevers e.g., Ebola and Marburg. Health workforce capacity for surveillance and control is robust compared to many other resource-constrained settings but research capacity and output are relatively low, especially for EIDs. Public and private tertiary institutions in Uganda predominantly offer training in primary health care and population studies through problem-based learning, community-based education and services, and Blended Learning (BL). There are several training programs in advanced clinical and epidemiological sciences, but few opportunities in biomedical sciences (e.g. virology, immunology, bioinformatics and predictive modeling), social sciences, One Health and leadership. To address the gaps, the following interventions were recommended: 1) advanced graduate and/or post-graduate training in basic biomedical sciences; 2) short-term training for continuous knowledge and skills development in multidisciplinary/One Health approaches; and 3) pedagogy and mentorship through BL, networking and experiential training programs that effectively leverage North-South collaborations. Training and mentorship should be achieved by (a) conducting most of the in-person didactic and experiential training at Southern tertiary and research institutions, (b) utilizing electronic-learning for didactic training and mentor-mentee interactions with subject-matter experts at Northern institutions, and (c) well-orchestrated placements at Northern institutions for hands-on experience using the latest advances in science and technology.Inadequate health workforce capacity for EID research was identified as a priority gap that requires long and short-term multidisciplinary training interventions. Efficiently leveraging North-South collaborations for e-learning, short-term placements and mentorship will enable Uganda to remain abreast with latest advances in science and technology for EID research, surveillance and control.