Article
Microbiology
Mamadou Malado Jallow, Mamadou Aliou Barry, Amary Fall, Ndiende Koba Ndiaye, Davy Kiori, Sara Sy, Deborah Goudiaby, Mbayame Ndiaye Niang, Gamou Fall, Malick Fall, Ndongo Dia
Summary: We conducted active influenza surveillance in a pig slaughterhouse in Dakar to investigate the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of influenza A viruses and provide serologic evidence of avian influenza virus infection in pigs in Senegal. Influenza A virus was detected in 30.7% of the collected swine nasal swabs, with A/H1N1pdm09 virus as the most commonly identified subtype. Genetic analysis revealed changes in key amino acids in Senegalese strains. Serological analysis showed a high prevalence of antibodies against H9N2 and H7N7 in Senegalese pigs. The co-circulation of multiple subtypes of influenza viruses in pigs poses a risk for the emergence of new hybrid viruses with zoonotic and pandemic potential.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Saverio Bellizzi, Giuseppe Pichierri, Christian Popescu
Summary: The Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda, declared in September 22, 2022, has rapidly spread to seven districts by early November, resulting in 131 confirmed cases and 48 deaths. Given the significant population of refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda, tailored public health emergency responses are vital. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of inclusive policies, such as equal access to treatment and vaccination for all individuals, regardless of nationality or legal status, to safeguard the well-being of migrants, refugees, and host communities.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nadezhda Duffy, Dana Bruden, Harold Thomas, Erin Nichols, Barbara Knust, Thomas Hennessy, Mary R. Reichler, James Bangura, Charles Keimbe, Amara Jambai, Oliver Morgan, Ismail Farmar, Francis Davies, Mohamed Sima Dumbuya, Hannah Kamara, Mohamed Kallon, Joseph Kpukumu, Sheku Abu, Fatmata Bangura, Saidu Rahim Bangura, Tomeh Bangura, Hassan Benya, Sandi Blango, Imurana Conteh, Peter Conteh, Bintu Jabbie, Sheku Jabbie, Luseni Kamara, Francis Lansana, Maada Rogers, Sahr Brima Sewa, Matthew Yamba, P. Bessler, Faith Washburn, E. Ervin, S. Campbell, W. Chung, S. Hersey
Summary: Household contacts who provide care to an Ebola virus disease (EVD) case have a significantly higher risk of contracting EVD compared to contacts who do not provide care. Limiting the number of care providers in a household can reduce the risk of EVD transmission to both care providers and non-care providers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicki L. Boddington, Sophia Steinberger, Richard G. Pebody
Summary: Between 14 October 2014 and 13 October 2015, a total of 12,648 passengers from affected countries were screened at five major ports of entry in England. The majority of passengers were assessed as having no direct contact with EVD cases or high-risk events (12,069, 95.4%), although 535 (4.2%) passengers were assessed as requiring public health follow-up. Out of 39 passengers referred to secondary care, none were diagnosed with EVD, but one high-risk passenger later diagnosed with EVD.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Carrie Eggers, Lise Martel, Amber Dismer, Ruth Kallay, Dean Sayre, Mary Choi, Salomon Corvil, Almamy Kaba, Bakary Keita, Lamarana Diallo, Mamadou Moussa Balde, Mariama Bah, Sekou Mohamed Camara, Enogo Koivogui, Joel Montgomery, Sakoba Keita
Summary: In 2017, the national agency for health security (ANSS) in Guinea implemented DHIS2 as the Ministry of Health national surveillance system to capture and report disease data. DHIS2 Tracker was later used to collect individual-level data for epidemic-prone diseases, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. An updated Tracker module was developed to meet the needs of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2021, and it has since been expanded for future viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelly Broen, Joey Dickens, Rob Trangucci, Martin D. Ogwang, Constance N. Tenge, Nestory Masalu, Steven J. Reynolds, Esther Kawira, Patrick Kerchan, Pamela A. Were, Robert T. Kuremu, Walter N. Wekesa, Tobias Kinyera, Isaac Otim, Ismail D. Legason, Hadija Nabalende, Ian D. Buller, Leona W. Ayers, Kishor Bhatia, Robert J. Biggar, James J. Goedert, Mark L. Wilson, Sam M. Mbulaiteye, Jon Zelner
Summary: Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is a pediatric cancer coendemic with malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, with evidence supporting a causal relationship between them. Spatially detailed data from the EMBLEM study showed that eBL incidence increased with cumulative exposure to Plasmodium falciparum malaria and peaked among children aged 5 to 11. Alternative models using recent cross-sectional exposure were inconclusive, suggesting that cumulative exposure is more important in eBL risk.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dehkontee Gayedyu-Dennis, Mosoka P. Fallah, Clara Drew, Moses Badio, J. Soka Moses, Tamba Fayiah, Kumblytee Johnson, Eugene T. Richardson, Sheri D. Weiser, Travis C. Porco, Jeffrey N. Martin, Michael C. Sneller, George W. Rutherford, Cavan Reilly, Christina P. Lindan, J. Daniel Kelly
Summary: This study demonstrates the utility of sequential screening algorithms with rapid diagnostic testing or exposure risk assessments for identifying contacts with unrecognized Ebola virus disease. The findings suggest that symptomatic individuals who test negative by World Health Organization case definition would benefit more from such screening algorithms.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohamed F. Jalloh, John Kinsman, James Conteh, Reinhard Kaiser, Amara Jambai, Anna Mia Ekstrom, Rebecca E. Bunnell, Helena Nordenstedt
Summary: The study found that barriers to death reporting post-Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone included lack of awareness, lack of linked services, negative experiences from the outbreak, perception that certain deaths do not need to be reported, and situations requiring prompt burials. Facilitators for future willingness to report deaths were influenced by the communicability and severity of the disease, unexplained circumstances of death that need investigation, and leveraging existing death notification practices through local leaders. Social mobilisation and risk communication efforts are needed to educate the public on the importance of sustained death reporting and integrating informal death notification practices into formal systems.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Emmanuel Hasahya, Krishna Thakur, Michel M. Dione, Susan D. Kerfua, Israel Mugezi, Hu Suk Lee
Summary: This study describes the characteristics of trade networks for cattle, small ruminants, and pigs in Uganda. The networks were found to be highly connected, which could facilitate the spread of infectious animal diseases.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christine Atherstone, Sandra Diederich, Bradley Pickering, Greg Smith, Graham Casey, Kerstin Fischer, Michael P. Ward, Dickson Ndoboli, Hana Weingartl, Silvia Alonso, Navneet Dhand, Kristina Roesel, Delia Grace, Siobhan M. Mor
Summary: This study revealed exposure of pigs in Uganda to ebolaviruses with temporal and spatial variations, suggesting the possibility of multiple virus introductions.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Brandon D. Hollingsworth, Hilary Sandborn, Emmanuel Baguma, Emmanuel Ayebare, Moses Ntaro, Edgar M. Mulogo, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: This study compared the ability of statistical models to predict household-level malaria risk using either remotely-sensed data or household survey results. The models using only environmental variables showed better predictive power for positive ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (uRDT) results and inpatient admission for malaria. Combining the datasets did not improve the predictive power for uRDT results but did for inpatient admission. The study suggests that residual malaria risk is driven more by the external environment than home construction, and using remotely-sensed data is a cost-efficient alternative for predicting malaria risk.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claude Bragard, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Francesco Di Serio, Paula Baptista, Paolo Gonthier, Josep Anton Jaques Miret, Annemarie Fejer Justesen, Alan MacLeod, Christer Sven Magnusson, Panagiotis Milonas, Juan A. Navas-Cortes, Stephen Parnell, Philippe Lucien Reignault, Emilio Stefani, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Wopke Van der Werf, Antonio Vicent Civera, Jonathan Yuen, Lucia Zappala, Jane Debode, Charles Manceau, Ciro Gardi, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Roel Potting
Summary: The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a risk assessment on unrooted cuttings of Jasminum polyanthum imported from Uganda. The assessment identified six relevant pests, including two regulated pests and four non-regulated pests, and evaluated the proposed risk mitigation measures. The expert judgement indicated that between 9,950 and 10,000 plants per 10,000 would be free of Bemisia tabaci.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Adrienne Epstein, Jane Frances Namuganga, Isaiah Nabende, Emmanuel Victor Kamya, Moses R. Kamya, Grant Dorsey, Hugh Sturrock, Samir Bhatt, Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer, Bryan Greenhouse
Summary: This study used health facility data in Uganda to model and map malaria incidence, finding high burden in the north and northeast regions, and lower incidence in areas receiving indoor residual spraying. It also discovered potential underreporting by the routine surveillance system. The study suggests investing in robust surveillance systems within public health facilities as a cost-effective tool for identifying vulnerable regions and tracking intervention impact.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Florence Nantaba, John Wasswa, Henrik Kylin, Hindrik Bouwman, Wolf -Ulrich Palm, Klaus Kummerer
Summary: Pharmaceutical residues in the aquatic environment have negative impacts on ecosystems, particularly in terms of antibiotic resistance development and endocrine disruption. This study investigated the occurrence of 25 pharmaceutical residues in sediment samples from Lake Victoria in Uganda, and assessed their ecotoxic risks. The results showed the presence of various pharmaceutical residues in the sediment, with levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole being the predominant compounds.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David Mukunya, James K. Tumwine, Victoria Nankabirwa, Beatrice Odongkara, Justin B. Tongun, Agnes A. Arach, Josephine Tumuhamye, Agnes Napyo, Vivian Zalwango, Vicentina Achora, Milton W. Musaba, Grace Ndeezi, Thorkild Tylleskar
Summary: The prevalence of neonatal hypothermia is high, with factors such as home birth, low birth weight, and delayed breastfeeding initiation being significant predictors. Neonates with hypothermia have a higher case fatality risk compared to normothermic neonates. Communities in tropical climates should focus on addressing neonatal hypothermia through early breastfeeding initiation and skin-to-skin care interventions, especially for neonates born at home and with low birth weight.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emmah Kwoba, David Obiero Oduori, Elisabetta Lambertini, Lian Francesca Thomas, Delia Grace, Florence Mutua
Summary: Effective and sustainable interventions are needed for long-term improvement of food safety. This review summarizes food safety interventions evaluated in selected low- and middle-income countries in Asia between 2000 and 2020. The most commonly used study design was a 'before and after' design, followed by randomized control trials. Training and specific technologies were the main intervention approaches. Most interventions reported some level of success, but there is a lack of evidence on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of interventions in market settings. A rigorous and standardized assessment of intervention effectiveness and sustainability is recommended.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ayalew Assefa, Michel Dione, Guy Ilboudo, Valerie Lallogo, Biruk Alemu Gemeda, Delia Grace, Theodore J. D. Knight-Jones
Summary: In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, chicken consumption is high but hygiene standards are poor, leading to significant public health risks. A survey of 155 slaughter outlets revealed that most were unlicensed and not regularly inspected. Market hygiene was found to be low and cross-contamination was common due to storage practices. Upgrades in infrastructure, facilities, and training programs are necessary to improve food safety.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Biruk Alemu Gemeda, Kebede Amenu, Sisay Girma, Delia Grace, Ramasamy Srinivasan, Ralph Roothaert, Theodore J. D. Knight-Jones
Summary: In this study, the knowledge, attitude, and practices of tomato vendors in Harar and Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, regarding tomato hygiene were assessed. The results revealed significant variations in food safety knowledge, barriers, and practices among the vendors. The findings highlight the need for interventions to improve food safety awareness and practices, especially in areas such as water quality and cleanliness.
Article
Virology
John Juma, Samson L. Konongoi, Isidore Nsengimana, Reuben Mwangi, James Akoko, Richard Nyamota, Collins Muli, Paul O. Dobi, Edward Kiritu, Shebbar Osiany, Amos A. Onwong'a, Rachael W. Gachogo, Rosemary Sang, Alan Christoffels, Kristina Roesel, Bernard Bett, Samuel O. Oyola
Summary: Rift Valley fever is a virus-borne disease endemic in Africa, primarily spread by abnormal rainfall patterns. It causes high mortality and morbidity in both humans and livestock. This study demonstrates the use of amplicon multiplex polymerase chain reaction (amPCR) to enrich and reduce host contamination in RVFV samples, allowing for rapid characterization and genotyping of the virus during outbreaks.
Article
Microbiology
Tushar K. Dey, Bibek R. Shome, Samiran Bandyopadhyay, Naresh Kumar Goyal, Ake Lundkvist, Ram P. Deka, Rajeswari Shome, Nimita Venugopal, Delia Grace, Garima Sharma, Habibar Rahman, Johanna F. Lindahl
Summary: We analyzed gram-positive isolates from milk samples in Haryana and Assam, India, and found that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in raw milk samples was 5%. Methicillin resistance was also observed in 15% of the isolates from pasteurized milk. We identified staphylococci harboring a novel mecC gene in Indian dairy products for the first time.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mohammed Abdus Samad, Linnea Eberson, Ruhena Begum, Mohammad Gazi Shah Alam, Faisol Talukdar, Rahima Akter, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Garima Sharma, Shariful Islam, Nure Alam Siddiky, A. S. M. Ashab Uddin, Mohammad Asheak Mahmud, Md Samun Sarker, Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Delia Grace, Johanna F. F. Lindahl
Summary: This study investigated bacterial contamination and antimicrobial resistance in marketed food in Bangladesh. The findings revealed the presence of high rates of E. coli in tomatoes and fish, as well as the issue of multidrug resistance. Qualitative interviews also highlighted challenges in antimicrobial use and resistance reduction in Bangladesh.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Silvia Alonso, Moira Donahue Angel, Emmanuel Muunda, Emily Kilonzi, Giordano Palloni, Delia Grace, Jef L. Leroy
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya has negatively affected the economy and well-being of low-income households. This study shows that there was a decrease in the sales and consumption of milk from informal markets in Nairobi, as well as an increase in food insecurity among periurban consumers.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lina Gazu, Silvia Alonso, Florence Mutua, Kristina Roesel, Johanna F. Lindahl, Kebede Amenu, Filipe Maximiano Sousa, Pattama Ulrich, Tadesse Guadu, Michel Dione, Guy Ilboudo, Theodore Knight-Jones, Delia Grace
Summary: Food safety challenges in Ethiopia include lack of infrastructure and basic prerequisites, limited implementation of food safety regulations, and lack of incentives for producers. More investment and coordinated research are needed to address these challenges and improve food safety.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Anthony Wenndt, Florence Mutua, Delia Grace, Lian F. Thomas, Elisabetta Lambertini
Summary: Aflatoxin contamination of staple grains and legumes in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, poses a significant public health concern. This study conducted a systematic review and risk assessment to determine the levels of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk associated with aflatoxin exposure in the northern Nigerian adult population. The findings highlight the high dietary intake of aflatoxin-contaminated commodities and the estimated number of HCC cases attributable to aflatoxin exposure.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shingo Asakura, Borin Khieu, Sokerya Seng, Samkol Pok, Chhay Ty, Chiv Phiny, Teng Srey, Stuart. D. D. Blacksell, Jeffrey Gilbert, Delia Grace, Silvia Alonso
Summary: The factors that are associated with diarrhea in livestock keepers in Cambodia include the treatment of water, frequency of consuming eggs, the number of children under 5 years old, and keeping poultry. Contrary to the hypothesis, keeping livestock was not associated with increased risk of diarrhea, but food-related behavior and the presence of young children were strongly associated with increased risk.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hai Hoang Tuan Ngo, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Mats Malqvist, Phuc Pham-Duc, Phi Nguyen-Hong, Hang Le-Thi, Hung Nguyen-Viet, Trang T. H. Le, Delia Grace, Johanna F. Lindahl, Fred Unger
Summary: Traditional pork shops are essential in providing Vietnam's most popular food, pork, to consumers. This study investigates consumers' perception and willingness to pay for improved pork shops and products. The findings show that consumers are willing to pay a 20% premium for upgraded pork, indicating the potential economic benefit of upgrading pork shops.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Delia Grace
Summary: Foodborne diseases (FBD) have gained attention on the development agenda since 2015. The health burden of FBD is comparable to malaria, with over 90% of cases occurring in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC). FBD also have significant impacts on nutrition, gender, equity, and the environment. The paper discusses options for managing FBD in LMIC, highlighting the need for better investment and evaluation. A systematic literature review offers recommendations for an integrated framework to evaluate food safety interventions in LMIC, ensuring scalability and sustainability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mathew Muturi, Athman Mwatondo, Ard M. Nijhof, James Akoko, Richard Nyamota, Anita Makori, Mutono Nyamai, Daniel Nthiwa, Lilian Wambua, Kristina Roesel, S. M. Thumbi, Bernard Bett
Summary: A study conducted in northern Kenya found that Rift Valley fever (RVF) remains present during interepidemic periods, with infection rates of 28.4% in humans and 21.7% in livestock. Participation in the slaughter of livestock and age were identified as important risk factors for human infection, while age was a significant factor for livestock infection. Furthermore, there was an interaction between rainfall and elevation in livestock infection rates, while elevation was negatively associated with infection in humans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Michel Mainack Dione, Rousseau Djouaka, Serge Foukmeniok Mbokou, Guy Sidwatta Ilboudo, Abdoul Aziz Ouedraogo, Getachew Dinede, Kristina Roesel, Delia Grace, Theodore J. D. Knight-Jones
Summary: A study in Burkina Faso found that 62.2% of tomato samples sold in urban markets contained pesticide residues. The highest proportion of samples were contaminated with DDT, followed by acetamiprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, and chlorpyrifos. The study recommends further risk assessment and measures to reduce pesticide residues in vegetables.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
