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Kayiwa JT, Nassuna C, Mulei S, Kiggundu G, Nakaseegu J, Nabbuto M, Amwine E, Nakamoga B, Nankinga S, Atuhaire P, Nabiryo P, Alunzi P, Mbaziira T, Isabirye P, Ayuro N, Owor N, Kiconco J, Bakamutumaho B, Middlebrook EA, Kaleebu P, Lutwama JJ, Bartlow AW. Integration of SARS-CoV-2 testing and genomic sequencing into influenza sentinel surveillance in Uganda, January to December 2022. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0132823. [PMID: 37811997 PMCID: PMC10715035 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01328-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Respiratory pathogens cause high rates of morbidity and mortality globally and have high pandemic potential. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, influenza surveillance was significantly interrupted because of resources being diverted to SARS-CoV-2 testing and sequencing. Based on recommendations from the World Health Organization, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, National Influenza Center laboratory integrated SARS-CoV-2 testing and genomic sequencing into the influenza surveillance program. We describe the results of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 testing of samples collected from 16 sentinel surveillance sites located throughout Uganda as well as SARS-CoV-2 testing and sequencing in other health centers. The surveillance system showed that both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza can be monitored in communities at the national level. The integration of SARS-CoV-2 detection and genomic surveillance into the influenza surveillance program will help facilitate the timely release of SARS-CoV-2 information for COVID-19 pandemic mitigation and provide important information regarding the persistent threat of influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Kayiwa
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Charity Nassuna
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sophia Mulei
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gladys Kiggundu
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joweria Nakaseegu
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Maria Nabbuto
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Esther Amwine
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bridget Nakamoga
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sarah Nankinga
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Phiona Atuhaire
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pheobe Nabiryo
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pixy Alunzi
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Tony Mbaziira
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Paul Isabirye
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Noel Ayuro
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Nicholas Owor
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jocelyn Kiconco
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Barnabas Bakamutumaho
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute & London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Julius J. Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
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