Acute Febrile Illness Studies in Uganda
Abstract
Acute febrile illness (AFI) causes significant morbidity and mortality in the tropical countries including Uganda. While part of it is caused by malaria and other common treatable infections, a significant part is caused by unknown agents. VHFs have particularly occurred recently with more frequency in Uganda and the region. This proposal seeks to undertake systematic investigations to determine the occurrence of the select agents and other previously unknown highly pathogenic pathogens with potential for causing pandemic threats. The work will leverage upon existing field and laboratory research capabilities within MUWRP in the country. The project will sample from already existing sentinel surveillance sites. Funds are being requested for sample collection and processing, training of clinical and laboratory staff. We propose to collect and test at least 26 samples from AFI patients per month from at least five geographically diverse sites. In addition, disease vector distribution and mapping will be undertaken through vector collection and identification and climate data analysis for ecological niche modeling and risk assessment. We shall work closely with partners and experts to leverage on their facilities and capabilities. This proposal hopes to generate robust data that can contribute to create in-country capabilities for more robust systems for early detection and prediction of outbreaks and rapid response and to define risk factors and vector distributions important for long-term surveillance, early detection and rapid response, and intervention strategies in contribution to global biological threat reduction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2016
- Source ID
- HDTRA11510043
Entities
People
- Denis Byyarugaba
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Makerere University Walter Reed Project