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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.

Arbovirus circulation, epidemiology and spatiotemporal distribution in Uganda Thumbnail


Authors

Timothy Byaruhanga

John T. Kayiwa

Annet M. Nankya

Irene J. Ataliba

JONATHAN BALL jonathan.ball@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Molecular Virology

Julius J. Lutwama



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 Mar 29, 2024
Journal IJID Regions
Electronic ISSN 2772-7076
Publisher Elsevier BV
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