Arbovirus circulation, epidemiology and spatiotemporal distribution in Uganda

Byaruhanga, Timothy; Kayiwa, John T.; Nankya, Annet M.; Ataliba, Irene J.; McClure, C. Patrick; Ball, Jonathan K.; Lutwama, Julius J.

Abstract

Background: Arboviruses are endemic in Uganda; however, little is known about their epidemiology, seasonality and spatiotemporal distribution. Our study sought to provide information on arbovirus outbreaks from acute clinical presentations. Methods: Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and confirmatory Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT) results for arbovirus diagnosis of samples collected from patients attending sentinel sites from 2016−19 were analysed retrospectively. Demographic data were analysed with SaTScan and SPSS software to determine the epidemiology and spatiotemporal distribution of arboviruses. Results: Arbovirus activity peaked consistently during March−May rainy seasons. Overall, arbovirus seroprevalence was 9.5%. Of 137 IgM positives, 52.6% were confirmed by PRNT, of which 73.6% cases were observed in central Uganda with Yellow Fever Virus had the highest prevalence (27.8%). The 5−14 age group were four times more likely to be infected with an arbovirus p=0.003, 4.1 (95% CI 1.3−12.3). Significant arboviral activity was observed among outdoor workers(p=0.05). Spatiotemporal analysis indicated arboviral activity in 23 of the 85 districts analysed. Interpretation: Our study shows that arbovirus activity peaks during the March−May rainy season and highlights the need for YFV mass vaccination to reduce the clinical burden of arboviruses transmitted within the region.

Citation

Byaruhanga, T., Kayiwa, J. T., Nankya, A. M., Ataliba, I. J., McClure, C. P., Ball, J. K., & Lutwama, J. J. (2023). Arbovirus circulation, epidemiology and spatiotemporal distribution in Uganda. IJID Regions, 6, 171-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.01.013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 26, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 3, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 15, 2023
• Journal: IJID Regions
• Electronic ISSN: 2772-7076
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Pages: 171-176
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.01.013
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/17088212
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772707623000139?via%3Dihub