The detection of 3 ambiguous type 2 vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV2s) in Uganda

The road to a polio-free Uganda; contribution of the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) at Uganda Virus Research Institute

Background

The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute.

Objectives

The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda.

Methods

Poliovirus detection and identification were achieved fundamentally through tissue culture and intra-typic differentiation of the poliovirus based on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR). The data obtained was entered into the national AFP database and analysed using EpiInfoTM statistical software.

Results

Quantitative and qualitative detection of wild and Sabin polioviruses corresponded with the polio campaigns. The WHO target indicators for AFP surveillance were achieved essentially throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Virological tracking coupled with attaining standard AFP surveillance indicators has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the national wild polio-free status. Laboratory surveillance remains key in informing the certification process of polio eradication.

Uganda Mountain Community Health System-Perspectives and Capacities towards Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance

In mountain communities like Sebei, Uganda, which are highly vulnerable to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, community-based surveillance plays an important role in the monitoring of public health hazards. In this survey, we explored capacities of village health teams (VHTs) in Sebei communities of Mount Elgon in undertaking surveillance tasks for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the context of a changing climate. We used participatory epidemiology techniques to elucidate VHTs' perceptions on climate change and public health and assessed their capacities to conduct surveillance for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Overall, VHTs perceived climate change to be occurring with wider impacts on public health. However, they had inadequate capacities in collecting surveillance data. The VHTs lacked transport to navigate through their communities and had insufficient capacities in using mobile phones for sending alerts. They did not engage in reporting other hazards related to the environment, wildlife, and domestic livestock that would accelerate infectious disease outbreaks. Records were not maintained for disease surveillance activities and the abilities of VHTs to analyze data were also limited. However, VHTs had access to platforms that could enable them to disseminate public health information. The VHTs thus need to be retooled to conduct their work effectively and efficiently through equipping them with adequate logistics and knowledge on collecting, storing, analyzing, and relaying data, which will improve infectious disease response and mitigation efforts.

Detection and characterization of polioviruses originating from urban sewage in Yaounde and Douala, Cameroon 2016-2017

Objective

Transmission of wild polioviruses (WPVs) and vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) have been interrupted in Cameroon since July 2014. Subsequently, Cameroon withdrew Sabin type 2 from routine immunization in April 2016. This study aimed to investigate the detection rates and overtime distribution of the types of PVs recovered from urban sewage in Cameroon.

Results

From January 2016 to December 2017, 517 sewage specimens originating from Yaounde (325 specimens) and Douala (192 specimens) were analyzed. No WPVs and VDPVs were isolated in this study. In contrast, vaccine strains of poliovirus were detected throughout the study period. Isolates Sabin types 1 and 3 were sporadically detected whereas Sabin 2 was found only from January to May 2016 both in Yaounde and Douala. The absence of Sabin 2 in sewage specimens since June 2016 indicates its rapid disappearance after withdrawal from routine immunization in April 2016. This study provides substantial support to the observation that WPV and VDPVs have been successfully eliminated in Cameroon. However, it remains essential to maintain and extend high quality environmental surveillance as long as WPV reservoirs and VDPV outbreaks are detected in Africa.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4280-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.