Prioritizing zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia using a one health approach

BackgroundThe East African region is endemic with multiple zoonotic diseases and is one of the hotspots for emerging infectious zoonotic diseases with reported multiple outbreaks of epidemic diseases such as Ebola, Marburg and Rift Valley Fever. Here we present a systematic assessment of published research on zoonotic diseases in the region and thesis research in Kenya to understand the regional research focus and trends in publications, and estimate proportion of theses research transitioning to peer-reviewed journal publications.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Google Scholar and African Journals Online databases for publications on 36 zoonotic diseases identified to have occurred in the East Africa countries of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, for the period between 1920 and 2017. We searched libraries and queried online repositories for masters and PhD theses on these diseases produced between 1970 and 2016 in five universities and two research institutions in Kenya.ResultsWe identified 771 journal articles on 22, and 168 theses on 21 of the 36 zoonotic diseases investigated. Research on zoonotic diseases increased exponentially with the last 10 years of our study period contributing more than half of all publications 460 (60%) and theses 102 (61%) retrieved. Endemic diseases were the most studied accounting for 656 (85%) and 150 (89%) of the publication and theses studies respectively, with publications on epidemic diseases associated with outbreaks reported in the region or elsewhere. Epidemiological studies were the most common study types but limited to cross-sectional studies while socio-economics were the least studied. Only 11% of the theses research transitioned to peer-review publications, taking an average of 2.5 years from theses production to manuscript publication.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate increased attention to zoonotic diseases in East Africa but reveal the need to expand the scope, focus and quality of studies to adequately address the public health, social and economic threats posed by zoonoses.

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“…Although much of the current global focus on zoonoses is mainly directed to emerging and re-emerging [13,19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic disease research in East Africa

et al. 2018

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“…Ethiopia is among the top five countries with the highest zoonotic infections in the world [4]. Despite its burden, attention by the government rose only recently, where the five most prevalent zoonotic diseases were prioritized as following: Rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis and echinococcosis [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sero-prevalence of brucellosis, Q-fever and Rift Valley Fever in humans and livestock in Somali region, Ethiopia

Ibrahim

Schelling

Zinsstag

et al. 2020

Preprint

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14Information on zoonotic diseases in humans and livestock are limited in pastoral/agro-pastoral 15 communities in Ethiopia. A multi-stage cross sectional cluster design study was implemented with the 16 aim to establish the seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases including brucellosis, Q-fever and Rift Valley 17 Fever (RVF) in humans and livestock in Adadle woreda of the Somali region, Ethiopia. Blood samples 18 were collected from humans and livestock and tested by relevant serological tests. For brucellosis, 19 Rose Bengal test (RBT) and indirect ELISA was used for screening and confirmatory diagnosis 20 respectively. Indirect and competitive ELISA were also used for Q-fever and RVF respectively. The 21 individual seropositivity of Q-fever in livestock was 9.6% (95% CI 5.9-15.1) in cattle, 55.7% (95% CI 22 46.0-65.0) in camels, 48.8% (95% CI 42.5-55.0) in goats, and 28.9% (95% CI 25.0-33.2) in sheep. In 23 humans, seropositivity of Q-fever was 27.0% (95% CI 20.4-34.0), with prevalence in males of 28.9% vs 24 24.2% in females (OR= 1.3; 95% CI 0.6-2.5). Camel seropositivity of Q-fever was significantly associated 25 with age (OR= 8.1; 95% CI 2.8-23.7). The individual apparent seroprevalence of RVF was 13.2% (95% 2 26 CI 8.7-18.8) in humans, 17.9 % (95% CI 11.0-27.8) in cattle, 42.6% (95% CI 34.8-50.7) in camels, 6.3% 27 (95% CI 3.3-11.6) in goats and 7.4% (95% CI 4.7-11.5) in sheep. Camels had the highest seropositivity 28 of both Q-fever (55.7%; 95% CI 46.0-65.0) and RVF (42.6%; 95% CI 34.8-50.7). Only a weak correlation 29 was observed between human and livestock seropositivity for both Q-fever and RVF. Only cattle and 30 camels were seropositive for brucellosis by iELISA. The individual seroprevalence of brucellosis was 31 2.8(0.9-6.4) in humans, 1.5% (95% CI 0.2-5.2) in cattle and 0.6% (95% CI 0.0-3.2) in camels. This study 32showed the importance of zoonoses in Somali regional state and is the first published study to describe 33 RVF exposure in humans and livestock in the country. Collaboration between public and animal health 34 sectors for further investigation on these zoonoses using the One Health concept is indispensable. 35

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“…As the first step in the country's engagement in the Global Health Security Agenda, a zoonotic disease workshop identified five priority zoonotic diseases of mutual concern for animal and human health agencies: rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis, and echinococcosis [7]. Cutaneous anthrax mostly occurs on areas of exposed skin, with the face, neck, eyelid, and forearms constituting the most common infection sites [3,4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax in resource-poor settings in West Arsi Province, Ethiopia

Pérez‐Tanoira¹,

Ramos

Prieto-Pérez³

et al. 2017

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction. Cutaneous anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which typically presents with ulcers after contact with animals or animal products, and is rarely seen in high-income countries but is common in those with low-and middle-incomes. Objective. The aim of this study is to show the main clinical characteristics of cutaneous anthrax in endemic areas. Materials and method. The study describes the main clinical characteristics of cutaneous anthrax in eight patients (six female and two male, age range 1 -56 years) admitted to the rural General Hospital of Gambo, West Arsi Province of Ethiopia from 2010-2013. Results. In all cases, lesions began as an erythematous papule located on exposed sites (n=7 head; n=1 thigh) and subsequently became a necrotic black eschar surrounded by an edematous halo. Two patients presented with painful ipsilateral adenopathy near the black eschar. Four patients developed a malignant pustule on the suborbital region of the face. Patients responded positively to treatment, and the lesions resolved, leaving eschars. However, one patient suffered the loss of an eyeball, and another died 12 hours after starting treatment. Conclusions. Physicians working in rural areas of resource-poor settings should be trained in the clinical identification of cutaneous anthrax. Early antibiotic treatment is essential for decreasing morbidity and mortality.

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Prioritizing zoonotic diseases in Ethiopia using a one health approach

Cited by 134 publications

References 6 publications

Zoonotic disease research in East Africa

Zoonotic disease research in East Africa

Sero-prevalence of brucellosis, Q-fever and Rift Valley Fever in humans and livestock in Somali region, Ethiopia

Diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax in resource-poor settings in West Arsi Province, Ethiopia

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