BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a common cause of diarrheal disease in livestock and dogs, and it can result in significant economic losses due to decreased productivity and higher treatment costs. The cryptosporidiosis burden in livestock and dogs is largely unknown and underexploited. We designed a cross-sectional research study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in livestock and dogs.MethodsThe questionnaire data was downloaded from the Kobotoolbox server in excel format for cleaning and analysis. Laboratory results were matched with the questionnaire data and statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 14 and R version 4.2.2. Descriptive statistics were conducted to determine the frequencies, percentages, and proportions of the different study variables. For the categorical variables, 95% binomial and multinomial confidence intervals were obtained using the commands BinomCI(), with Jeffreys approach, and MultinomCI() available in the DescTools package. To adjust for potential clustering within household, a logistic mixed model approach with household as random effect was chosen and performed using the package glmmTMB. The outcome was a positive or negative test result of each dog. A likelihood ratio test using the lmtest package was used to determine if a predictor was significantly associated with the outcome. To adjust for multiple comparisons, the multcomp package with Tukeys approach was used. First all variables were included in a univariable approach. Second all variables with p-values <0.2 were included in a multivariable model..ResultsDogs were over 50times more likely to have the cryptosporidium infection compared to goat. With aOR 56.07, 95%CI= [10.2569,306.5307] and p-value <0.001. Furthermore, being of Mukonjo tribe was over 20times more likely to have cryptosporidiosis compared to being Musongora. At aOR 24.92, 95%CI= [3.6971,168.0655], p-value 0.0010. Additionally, persons who drunk water from the river ponds were 76.93 times more likely to have cryptosporidium infection compared to the counterparts whose source of drinking water were from protected sources with aOR 76.93, 95% CI= [3.71,1595.324] p-value= 0.0050.ConclusionCryptosporidiosis still remains a big public health problem in Kasese District. Dogs are more at risk of having cryptosporidiosis whereas drinking from river ponds was highly attributed to acquiring cryptosporidiosis.

Background: Reports of SARS-CoV-2 in animals have implicated human sources. Similarities in SARS-CoV-2 cell receptors between humans and animals suggest possible cross-transmission of COVID-19. Using a One-Health approach, we assessed exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in humans with no history of confirmed infection, selected domestic animals in their homesteads, and in wild animals in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in two districts where community COVID cases were first reported: and at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Thirty-six humans and 48 domestic animals per district; and 14 animals at UWEC were sampled. Blood and nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal samples were analysed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, viral antigens, and genome. Interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographics, travel history, disease symptoms and knowledge on COVID-19 was conducted, data was analysed with STATA 16.0. Results: One hundred forty participants were interviewed, 77% were below 49 years old, 56% had only primary education, 50% were catholics; and 70% subsistence farmers. COVID-19-related information was majorly from radios (89%), families and or friends (55%). Over 60% were aware of at least two COVID-19 symptoms. In humans, sero-prevalence was 31.9%, 4.2% and 13.9% for IgG, IgM, and COVID-19 antigen, respectively. IgG sero-prevalence was significantly higher in females (47.2%) than males (16.7%) with p=0.005, and similar trends were noted for IgM and antigens. In domestic animals, caprine had the highest IgG seropositivity, followed by bovine, avian and lastly canine at 70.6%, 50.0%, 42.9% and 38.5%, respectively. IgM was detected in one dog. At UWEC, five animals had both IgG and IgM whereas two had only IgG. All human and animal samples were RT-PCR negative. Conclusion: A high sero-prevalence of IgG, indicates previous exposure. Ascertaining cross-species transmission at human-animal interface was unproven due to negative RT-PCR results, hence isolation and characterisation of virus were not done.

Background: Foot and Mouth disease is a notifiable trans-boundary disease, which is endemic in a large area of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda. Recently, the disease has emerged from new areas, with high impact, hence threatening the food security and livelihoods of different animal owners. This study described the temporal and spatial distribution of FMD in Uganda, and factors associated with its occurrence Methods: Data previously archived at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Uganda, from 2010 to 2021, were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, QGIS and R software Results: A total of 22,690 FMD cases were reported in Uganda between 2010 and 2021 with an average and median of 1169 and 37 outbreaks per year respectively. In this period, FMD was reported at least once in 58 districts (43%) of all districts of the country (n = 135). The occurrence of FMD outbreaks was found to be seasonal with peak outbreaks in November and a low in August. FMD was reported all over the country, with the majority of cases 45% (10,211) reported from Eastern, 38% (8,685) from western region, 6% (1,354) from northern region and 11% (2,440) from central region. Most FMD cases were reported during the dry month of November, January, and February. Conclusion: FMD occurred in all the four regions of the country and showed statistically significant decrease in the long-term trend. Numbers of outbreaks were relatively higher during dry season. The spatial and temporal distribution identified in this study should be considered in controlling the disease. As unregulated and frequent animal movements are the likely causes of high outbreak occurrence during the dry season, animal movement regulations should be considered for the long-term control of FMD. Recommendation: Strategic vaccination of animals should commence at least a month prior to the onset dry season to ensure immunity against the virus, together with restrictions on animal movements during dry season and farmers have to be aware about the risk of unrestricted animal movement.