Uganda’s experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018–2019
Date
2020Author
Aceng, Jane Ruth
Ario, Alex R.
Muruta, Allan N.
Makumbi, Issa
Nanyunja, Miriam
Komakech, Innocent
Bakainaga, Andrew N.
Talisuna, Ambrose O.
Mwesigye, Collins
Mpairwe, Allan M.
Tusiime, Jayne B.
Lali, William Z.
Katushabe, Edson
Ocom, Felix
Kaggwa, Mugagga
Bongomin, Bodo
Kasule, Hafisa
Mwoga, Joseph N.
Sensasi, Benjamin
Mwebembezi, Edmund
Katureebe, Charles
Sentumbwe, Olive
Nalwadda, Rita
Mbaka, Paul
Fatunmbi, Bayo S.
Nakiire, Lydia
Lamorde, Mohammed
Walwema, Richard
Kambugu, Andrew
Nanyondo, Judith
Okware, Solome
Ahabwe, Peter B.
Nabukenya, Immaculate
Kayiwa, Joshua
Wetaka, Milton M.
Kyazze, Simon
Kwesiga, Benon
Kadobera, Daniel
Bulage, Lilian
Nanziri, Carol
Monje, Fred
Aliddeki, Dativa M.
Ntono, Vivian
Gonahasa, Doreen
Nabatanzi, Sandra
Nsereko, Godfrey
Nakinsige, Anne
Mabumba, Eldard
Lubwama, Bernard
Sekamatte, Musa
Kibuule, Michael
Muwanguzi, David
Amone, Jackson
Upenytho, George D.
Driwale, Alfred
Seru, Morries
Sebisubi, Fred
Akello, Harriet
Kabanda, Richard
Mutengeki, David K.
Bakyaita, Tabley
Serwanjja, Vivian N.
Okwi, Richard
Okiria, Jude
Ainebyoona, Emmanuel
Opar, Bernard T.
Mimbe, Derrick
Kyabaggu, Denis
Ayebazibwe, Chrisostom
Sentumbwe, Juliet
Mwanja, Moses
Ndumu, Deo B.
Bwogi, Josephine
Balinandi, Stephen
Nyakarahuka, Luke
Tumusiime, Alex
Kyondo, Jackson
Mulei, Sophia
Lutwama, Julius
Kaleebu, Pontiano
Kagirita, Atek
Nabadda, Susan
Oumo, Peter
Lukwago, Robinah
Kasozi, Julius
Masylukov, Oleh
Kyobe, Henry Bosa
Berdaga, Viorica
Lwanga, Miriam
Opio, Joe C.
Matseketse, David
Eyul, James
Oteba, Martin O.
Bukirwa, Hasifa
Bulya, Nulu
Masiira, Ben
Kihembo, Christine
Ohuabunwo, Chima
Antara, Simon N.
Owembabazi, Wilberforce
Okot, Paul B.
Okwera, Josephine
Amoros, Isabelle
Kajja, Victoria
Mukunda, Basnet S.
Sorela, Isabel
Adams, Gregory
Shoemaker, Trevor
Klena, John D.
Taboy, Celine H.
Ward, Sarah E.
Merrill, Rebecca D.
Carter, Rosalind J.
Harris, Julie R.
Banage, Flora
Nsibambi, Thomas
Ojwang, Joseph
Kasule, Juliet N.
Stowell, Dan F.
Brown, Vance R.
Zhu, Bao-Ping
Homsy, Jaco
Nelson, Lisa J.
Tusiime, Patrick K.
Olaro, Charles
Mwebesa, Henry G.
Woldemariam, Yonas Tegegn
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Show full item recordAbstract
Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several
neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border
transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in
the country. We describe Uganda’s experience in EVD preparedness. : On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency
Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and
coordinate EVD preparedness in the country. The NTF selected an Incident Management Team (IMT), constituting a
National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) that supported activation of the District Task Forces (DTFs) and District Rapid
Response Teams (DRRTs) that jointly assessed levels of preparedness in 30 designated high-risk districts
representing category 1 (20 districts) and category 2 (10 districts). The MoH, with technical guidance from the
World Health Organisation (WHO), led EVD preparedness activities and worked together with other ministries and
partner organisations to enhance community-based surveillance systems, develop and disseminate risk
communication messages, engage communities, reinforce EVD screening and infection prevention measures at
Points of Entry (PoEs) and in high-risk health facilities, construct and equip EVD isolation and treatment units, and
establish coordination and procurement mechanisms. As of 31 May 2019, there was no confirmed case of EVD as Uganda has continued to make significant
and verifiable progress in EVD preparedness. There is a need to sustain these efforts, not only in EVD preparedness
but also across the entire spectrum of a multi-hazard framework. These efforts strengthen country capacity and
compel the country to avail resources for preparedness and management of incidents at the source while
effectively cutting costs of using a “fire-fighting” approach during public health emergencies.