Detection of Sporadic Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Uganda through the National Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance System, 2017–2020

Nyakarahuka, Luke; Whitmer, Shannon; Klena, John D.; Balinandi, Stephen; Talundzic, Emir; Tumusiime, Alex; Kyondo, Jackson; Mulei, Sophia; Patel, Ketan; Baluku, Jimmy; Akurut, Gloria Grace; Namanya, Diana; Kamugisha, Kilama; Cossaboom, Caitlin M.; Whitesell, Amy; Telford, Carson; Graziano, James; Nichol, Stuart T.; Lutwama, Julius J.; Shoemaker, Trevor

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.22-0410

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…We highlighted a possible risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases due to animal trade and consequently movement of animals across the border along Uganda-Rwanda. Along the Uganda-Rwanda border, there is a risk of transmission of brucellosis, rift valley fever given that these diseases are endemic in Southwestern Uganda (13,14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cross Border Population Movement Patterns, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, November 2022

King,

Wanyana,

Mayinja

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BackgroundThe frequent population movement across the five East African Countries poses risk of disease spread in the region. A clear understanding of population movement patterns is critical for informing cross-border disease control interventions.We assessed population mobility patterns across the borders of the East African states of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.MethodsIn November 2022, we conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and participatory mapping. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and a topic guide used during interviews. Key informants included border districts (Uganda and Rwanda) and county health officials (Kenya). FGD participants were identified from border communities and travellers and these included truck drivers, commercial motorcyclists, and businesspersons. During KIIs and FGDs, we conducted participatory mapping using Population Connectivity Across Borders toolkits. Data were analysed using grounded theory approach using Atlas ti 7 software.ResultsDifferent age groups travelled across borders for various reasons. Younger age groups travelled across the border for education, trade, social reasons, employment opportunities, agriculture and mining. While older age groups mainly travelled for healthcare and social reasons. Other common reasons for crossing the borders included religious and cultural matters. Respondents reported seasonal variations in the volume of travellers. Respondents reported using both official (4 Kenya-Uganda, 5 Rwanda-Uganda borders) and unofficial Points of Entry (PoEs) (14 Kenya-Uganda, 20 Uganda-Rwanda) for exit and entry movements on borders. Unofficial PoEs were preferred because they had fewer restrictions like the absence of health screening, and immigration and customs checks. Key destination points (points of interest) included: markets, health facilities, places of worship, education institutions, recreational facilities and business towns. Twenty-eight health facilities (10- Lwakhakha, Uganda, 10- Lwakhakha, Kenya, and 8- Cyanika, Uganda) along the borders were the most commonly visited by the travellers and border communities.ConclusionComplex population movement and connectivity patterns were identified along the borders. These were used to guide cross-border disease surveillance and other border health strategies in the three countries. Findings were used to revise district response and preparedness plans by strengthening community-based surveillance in border communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along the Uganda-Rwanda border, there is a risk of transmission of brucellosis, rift valley fever given that these diseases are endemic in Southwestern Uganda (13,14).…”

Section: Points Of Interest and Routesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross Border Population Movement Patterns, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, November 2022

King,

Wanyana,

Mayinja

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Following univariate screening for farm level risk factors (S1 Table) with a cutoff of p<0.2 for inclusion in a multivariable model, we developed a multivariable model. Known biological risk factors (stage of pregnancy, animal host, history of animal movements, environmental conditions) were also forced into the multivariable model regardless of the univariate significance (Nyakarahuka et al, 2023c). The associations were assessed by odds ratios, with a 5% level for statistical significance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the first laboratory confirmed cases from animals and humans were not reported until 2016 from Kabale District (Shoemaker et al, 2019). Since then there have been sporadic RVF outbreaks in different parts of the country and these have been investigated by Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF)’s surveillance departments (Aceng et al, 2023; Birungi et al, 2021; Kabami, 2023; Nyakarahuka et al, 2018a, 2023c, 2023a; Tumusiime et al, 2023a, 2023c). However, RVF surveillance is typically only carried out responsively after outbreaks that have already led to the loss of human lives or livestock.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring community-based reporting of livestock abortions for Rift Valley Fever surveillance in Uganda: A pilot study

Walekhwa,

Conlan,

Atim

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Between March and June 2023, we carried out a pilot study to explore the feasibility of using self-reporting of livestock abortions as a method of syndromic surveillance for Rift Valley fever disease (RVF) in Isingiro District, Uganda. We established a call centre in the office of the District Veterinary Officer which was promoted through stakeholder meetings, media engagement and distribution of sensitization materials. We collected 200 sera and 269 vaginal swabs from cattle, sheep and goats that experienced an abortion within a target 14-day period. The apparent IgG seroprevalence of RVF was 38% [95% CI 29 – 47] in cattle, 33% [95% CI 14 – 61] in sheep and 20% [95% CI 12 – 31] in goats. For IgM, sheep showed the highest prevalence at 8% [95% CI 1 – 35], cattle at 2% [95% CI 1 – 6]. Host species was significantly associated with IgG positive status, with cattle having the highest risk of RVF seropositivity (OR = 3 [95%CI: 1 - 7], p = 0.014). Our results demonstrate the potential for a community led model for collecting abortion alerts through local call centres. If routinely implemented, such syndromic data collection could be used to develop early warning systems and prioritise case investigations. The IgG seroprevalence in our sample is comparable to the levels seen in endemically infected countries, suggesting historical circulation of RVF within the livestock population in this community. Our pilot study demonstrates a proof-of-principle that community-driven reporting of abortions could be used to build a surveillance system for RVF. However, the lack of confirmation of infection through PCR means we cannot draw a firm causal link between the reported abortions and RVF. To build a robust case of abortion surveillance, longitudinal studies are needed to measure seasonal variation in the distribution of abortion cases and incidence of active RVF infections.

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“…Disease in young sheep, goats, and cattle is observed with the related Bhanja bandavirus (Hubalek 1987, Hubalek et al 2014). Severe epizootics in sheep, cattle, buffalo, and goats are associated with Rift Valley Fever virus, a phylogenetically related mosquito-borne phlebovirus (HRTV and DBV were formerly grouped with the phleboviruses) (Meegan et al 1979, House et al 1992, Madani et al 2003, Chevalier et al 2010, Hubalek et al 2014, Nyakarahuka et al 2023). Of the thogotoviruses, only the eponymous THOV has been shown to produce disease in animals, causing leukopenia in cattle and abortion and fever in sheep (Davies et al 1984, Sang et al 2006b).…”

Section: Reservoir Host Competencementioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging tickborne viruses vectored by Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae): Heartland and Bourbon viruses

Dupuis,

Lange,

Ciota

2023

Journal of Medical Entomology

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Heartland (HRTV) and Bourbon (BRBV) viruses are newly identified tick-borne viruses, isolated from serious clinical cases in 2009 and 2014, respectively. Both viruses originated in the lower Midwest United States near the border of Missouri and Kansas, cause similar disease manifestations, and are presumably vectored by the same tick species, Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). In this article, we provide a current review of HRTV and BRBV, including the virology, epidemiology, and ecology of the viruses with an emphasis on the tick vector. We touch on current challenges of vector control and surveillance, and we discuss future directions in the study of these emergent pathogens.

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Detection of Sporadic Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Uganda through the National Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance System, 2017–2020

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Cross Border Population Movement Patterns, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, November 2022

Cross Border Population Movement Patterns, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, November 2022

Exploring community-based reporting of livestock abortions for Rift Valley Fever surveillance in Uganda: A pilot study

Emerging tickborne viruses vectored by Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae): Heartland and Bourbon viruses

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