BACKGROUND AND CURRENT DISEASE SURVEILLANCE & CONTROL
STRATEGIES UNDER ONE HEALTH APPROACH IN UGANDA
Joint UMA/UVA International One Health ConferenceHotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda.
14-16 February, 2013.
Author: Dr. Winyi Kaboyo, Veterinary Public Health, MOH
Co-authors: Dr. C. Rutebarika, ACDC, MAAIF; Dr. P. Atimnedi , Vet. Coord. UWA and Mr. E. Enyel, Wildlife Officer, UWA.
BackgroundThe need for
professional/interdiciplinary collaboration between medical & veterinary recognised in the past:
Calvine Schwabe expounded concept of “One Medicine”
WHO -1975 promoted establishment of VPH units in ministries of health and at WHO Hqs.
In Uganda, VPH Unit established in MOH since 1980s.
Current Disease Surveillance & Control Strategies under OHKey sectors mandated in prevention,
control & management of zoonoses:◦Ministry of Health (MOH); ESD, VPH◦Ministry of Agric, Animal Industry &
Fisheries (MAAIF)◦Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)◦Local Govt. Authorities; Districts, KCCA◦Other Partners: UN agencies, NGO’s, Red Cross, UPDF,
etc
Mechanisms for collaboration1. Joint technical committees
2. National Task Forces3. Field disease investigations & management
4. Simulation exercises5. Project design, appraisal & implementation
How do these mechanisms work?Technical committees (TCs) In the early 1990’s, MOH and
MAAIFformed TC for rabies, RVF, lab
network for early detection & response to the
zoonoses.Regular meetings & sharing
information, strategies, lab results and resources, holding joint workshops.
INFORMATION, EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION (IEC) ON RABIES
6
Vaccination of pets at one of the centresTECOR
7
Mechanisms contd..National Task Forces
Due to emerging zoonoses, Anthrax, BSE, VHF, (ebola, marburg), HPAI, pandemic influenza H1N1, National Task Forces were formed.Regular meetings, situation reports, resource mobilization & sharing, joint rapid response teams (RRTs), community mobilization & sensitization, advise policy & training.
One Health training on PPEs Mbarara district
Mobilization against anthrax
The Republic of Uganda ANTHRAX ALERT!!!
GUIDELINES ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ANTRHAX 1. What is anthrax? Anthrax is a dangerous disease that affects human beings, domestic and wild
animals and can cause death. 2. How can I tell that an animal has got anthrax? An animal suffering from anthrax or a carcass can be easily recognized by
seeing unclotted blood coming out of the natural openings like the mouth, nose, ears and anus.
3. What should I do to avoid getting infected? In case of an outbreak or suspected cases of anthrax in any animal including
wild animals, the following measures must be taken immediately: Avoid skinning any animal suspected to be sick or to have died from anthrax. 4. Do not eat meat from such an animal. 5. Do not remove teeth, horns, hooves or any other body part of that animal. 6. Report any suspicious case to the authorities (Local Councils, Park Rangers,
Veterinary or Health staff nearest you) 7. Seek immediate medical attention if you have been exposed to a
suspected case of anthrax. Published by: Veterinary Public Health Unit and Health Promotion
Education Division Ministry of Health Uganda.
Mechanisms contd….Field disease investigations &
managementi) Rabies outbreak investigations and mass vaccination of dogs and cats.ii) Anthrax,iii) Plague,
iv) Yellow feverv) HPAI, pandemic H1N1
vi) Ebola & marburg
Joint rabies vaccination campaign- Rakai district
Animals captured & sampled(L) Vervet monkey & Bat (R)
Joint communication & outbreak reporting strategiesAvian Influenza Communication
Strategy Uganda National Disease
Outbreaks Portal (www.diseaseoutbreaks.ug)
Joint simulations on HPAITable top simulation exercises
held for districts.One national field simulation
exercise in Mukono District, May/June 2012.
Regional field crossborder simulation exercises for at Busia at Uganda and Kenya border under EAC.
Zoonotic dss projectsSPINAP under AU/IBAR funded by EU.
2008/2010 Avian & Human Influenza Preparedness
& Response project (AHIP)Multi sectoral (MOH, MAAIF, OPM &
Local Govt/districtsFunded by World Bank & GOU.3 yr project (training, logistics, lab
diagnostic, surveillance & civil works)
Challenges to One HealthInadequate funding for the key
sectorsPolitical will yet to be fully
mobilisedLack of enough technical
expertise especially at district level among the DRRTs to repond to emerging zoonoses.
One Health concept yet to be explained and appreciated at district level & below: (DHO,DVO, Med Supt, Wildlife/Game Warder, i/c Health Unit).
Way forward for One healthFormalise structures; joint MoU,
policies, guidelines, strategies between key players at implementation level.
Improved funding for zoonoses; training, disease outbreak response, lab capacity/ infrastructure,
Prompt zoonotic dss outbreak communication and management in human, domestic and wildlife. Thank you
