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NEWS AND PUBLICATIONS
LATEST NEWS
AFENET sends an “AIZIP-Team” to investigate and respond to an epidemic of Plague in West Nile, Uganda
AFENET was requested by the Ministry of Health to provide support (both technical and financial) for the investigation and response to a plague outbreak in West Nile (Arua and Nebbi districts). This area has suffered from repeated plague epidemics for over several years. The current outbreak, which has already been confirmed by laboratory, has been ongoing for some months now is not responding to the usual measures. By November 9th there were a total of 62 cases with 14 deaths, (Case fatality ratio 23%). This is irrespective of the fact that internal residual spraying was to kill the vectors was done in November 2007 following a similar outbreak.
Plague is a zoonotic disease, where the main reservoirs are wild rats, but other wild domestic and animals can serve as alternative hosts for the vector thus perpetuating the vector population. Because of the failure of the current control measures and the ecology of the disease it has become apparent that we urgently need to re-strategize and devise alternative a approaches, that would involves all relevant sectors in the investigation, design and implementation of the control strategy.
Therefore in a meeting held at the Ministry on Friday 14th 2008, it was resolved that a team be sent to review the current status, and conduct a thorough analysis of the situation. Dr. Musenero, who closely works with the Ministry, was requested to coordinate the effort. AFENET therefore, under their zoonotic infections project (AIZIP), have put together a team of experts (AIZIP-Team) to conduct a joint investigation and design a coordinated strategy for response and prevention of future plague outbreaks. The ministries of Health, Agriculture, Uganda Wild life Authority, School of Public Health (FETP), AFENET, and Makerere University have come together to conduct this investigation. The team held a pre-field planning meeting on 18th Nov 2008, to lay down protocols and methods of work and is expected to set off for the field on Sunday 23rd 2008.
This is the first time, such an approach is being used to address any public health issue in Uganda and is viewed as a huge step towards implementing the “One World, One Health” concept essential for addressing the frequent epidemics of emerging zoonotic diseases in the country.
Symposium to develop Public health Codes of ethics for Pandemic Influenza detection and control in Africa
The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) organized a symposium to develop Public Health codes of Ethics for Pandemic Influenza detection and control in Africa. The symposium was held during the week of August 11-15 in Kampala Uganda at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Over 60 participants from 15 African countries, regional bodies including African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and South African Development Cooperation (SADC) and international organizations such as CDC, WHO, and USAID sent representatives.
This meeting brought together African epidemiologists, program implementers, academics and other experts to move towards developing a consensus on national or regional codes of ethics on how pandemic influenza programs can be most ethically implemented based on African experience and values.
Experience at AFENET
AFENET experience fellowship (Expat) is a new program that began in June 2008. It provides opportunities for graduates of Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) in Africa and beyond to work with AFENET secretariat and its large partner base, and gain special skills in the development and sustenance of Field Epidemiology Capacity Development initiatives. Participating fellows are fully sponsored by AFENET. Fellowships generally last 2-3 months, but may be as short as 1 month, and not longer than 2 years.
AFENET is sending a team to tackle the persistent Hepatitis E outbreak in Northern Uganda
Hepatitis E was first detected in Madi Opei sub-county in Kitgum District on October 25, 2007 and subsequently notified to the Ministry of Health. Laboratory confirmation of the outbreak was done on December 4, 2007. Initial Investigations were carried out and interventions put in place by the District Epidemic Response Task Force to address risk factors. The epidemic has however not only persisted but escalated, with cumulative cases now at 1106 with 24 deaths (CFR 2.17%) and it has spread to 4 other sub-counties.
AFENET is therefore sending a team of experts to help the Ministry of Health (MoH) to
investigate the persistence of this outbreak. The team consists of Epidemiologists, an
Environmental expert , Laboratory scientists, and FETP trainees drawn from the MOH,
The Central Public Health Laboratory and Makerere University School of Public Health.
AFENET’s Dr.Monica Musenero Masanza, a Veterinary Epidemiologists and Microbiologist will travel with the team to provide technical assistance.
Review of progress on adaptation
The Uganda Immunisation Training Program (UITP) with support from CDC held a 2nd stakeholders meeting on 12th may 2008 to review the progress in the adaptation process of Mid Level Management (MLM) training materials from WHO/AFRO. All stakeholders in Immunization in Uganda were invited to participate, including; WHO, UNICEF, Ministry of Health, UNEPI, nursing/midwifery schools, MUSPH and Mulago Hospital
- The AFENET Trainees' Immunisation projects Click here
PUBLICATIONS
Newsletters
Issue 3 May 2008 Click here
Issue 2 September 2007 Click here
Issue 1 Feb. 1. 2007 Click here
Reports
The Fourth African Regional TEPHINET and Second AFENET Scientific Conference report
The African Field Epidemiology Network Annual Report 2007
Improving Immunization Coverage in Siaya District, Kenya, 2006: A case for Innovative Strategies.
RAKAI IMMUNISATION STUDY (RIS)
Investigation of an Unknown Epidemic in Masindi District – A case of Imported
Plague, February 2007
Abstracts
Presentations
AFENET'S World Bank Presentation Click here
Marburg haemorrhagic fever in Uganda - update 14 August 2007
Results of laboratory tests on blood samples from Kampala and Kamwenge performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA have confirmed Marburg virus infection in the putative index case, a mine worker, and in one of his close contacts during his illness. Contact tracing and monitoring has been carried out to ensure no further transmission of disease, and the extended contacts are coming to the end of their period of observation. An international team, including experts from WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Médecins sans Frontières , Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and local NGOs are supporting the Ministry of Health, Uganda to strengthen active surveillance, contact tracing, infection control, logistics, and social mobilization activities in an effort to contain this outbreak. Ecological studies are underway by a team of experts from the CDC, WHO and the Government of Uganda , to establish the hosts and mode of natural transmission of the virus in the environment, with particular emphasis on the mines and surrounding area. For Original Article, click here. For more information- WHO Marburg haemorrhagic fever website