Strengthened One Health surveillance capacity for leishmaniasis, Uganda-Kenya

Project 1 Uganda Kenya - Project team

Overview

Project 5: Strengthening surveillance of leishmaniasis in Uganda and Kenya through a collaborative multisectoral One Health capacity building approach in endemic foci (Uganda and Kenya)

Lead institutions: Makerere University; University of Nairobi; Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) Uganda; Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

This study aims to strengthen the surveillance of leishmaniasis in Uganda and Kenya through a collaborative multisectoral One Health capacity building approach. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic to both Uganda and Kenya. With cross-border migrations of humans and animals between both countries this approach is crucial to better manage and prevent leishmaniasis.

The study will identify leishmaniasis hotspots and decipher the risks and climate factors associated with the disease within endemic foci using retrospective passive and active screening data in humans and animals, as well as climate data. The information generated will be utilized by country leishmaniasis control programmes to enhance surveillance and target interventions towards high-risk areas. Leishmaniasis surveillance data generated from this study will also be regularly reported to line ministries, international agencies such as the WHO and other relevant agencies. This information will guide the design of subsequent interventions. Furthermore, cross-border surveillance activities will be strengthened between Uganda and Kenya, and this will enhance surveillance efforts across both countries for sustainable leishmaniasis control efforts.

Objectives

Build capacity of frontline workers in Uganda and Kenya to execute leishmaniasis surveillance and reporting through One Health competencies
Carry out a spatial and temporal mapping of leishmaniasis hotspots and decipher the risk factors associated with the disease within endemic foci
Strengthen surveillance and reporting of leishmaniasis data within line ministries and across the border
Strengthen multisectoral and cross border surveillance for enhanced reporting and knowledge sharing

Outcome

Curriculum for a One Health short course on leishmaniasis has been developed, by the Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity and Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health and reviewed by the African One Health University Network (AFROHUN), incorporating the following:

One Health and leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis surveillance, climate change and risk factors
One Health and control of leishmaniasis
Stakeholder engagement and effective communication on disease control
Gender, risk analysis and control of leishmaniasis in the One Health contex