Scientists have expressed a need for more investment in research on emerging and re-emerging infections.
An emerging infection may be a new disease like COVID-19. The call was raised at the annual scientific conference by the Uganda Society for Health in Kampala.
An emerging infection may be a new disease like COVID-19. Or it may be a known disease that starts spreading again or doesn’t respond to standard treatments.
Reemerging infectious diseases come back after being mostly controlled. Some of these diseases include measles, TB, and whooping cough Influenza, West Nile virus among others.
According to WHO, emerging diseases have economic repercussions well beyond their immediate health costs. They may impede trade and travel or cause disproportionate alarm, especially if rumours of intentional use become widespread.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the conference which closes on Friday, Dr Andrew Kambugu, the Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) said they are convening at a time when Uganda’s map is crowded with a mix of outbreaks.
Among the outbreaks that Uganda is currently experiencing are conjunctivitis and measles that has sprouted out in different regions of the country.
Kambugu says Uganda is a hot spot for emerging and re-emerging infections. The outbreak of those diseases is blamed on the interface between wildlife and livestock or what is generally known as zoonotic infections/ diseases. Uganda has in the past experienced Ebola and Marburg virus disease outbreaks.
Environmental changes, human and animal demography, pathogen changes, and changes in farming practices are among the factors that lead to emerging diseases
Kambugu says in the case of Uganda the next big infection is not a matter of if but when. He says there is a need for researchers to acquire as much knowledge as possible to avoid mismanaging likely cases.
Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health notes that re-emerging and emerging diseases. He said the government had closed measles isolation units but current infections which are a result of missed immunization are posing a threat.
The Chairman of the Uganda Society for Health Scientists, Dr Robert Kalyesubula said while they are trying to train new researchers to tackle emerging health challenges, they are challenged by dwindling foreign funding and the fact that many of those offering money tie their funding to specific thematic areas which may not necessarily be answering Uganda’s urgent health concerns.
Kalyesubula who doubles as a lecturer at Makerere University says that apart from infectious diseases, they are currently interesting researchers in doing more work in the area of Non-Communicable diseases that are also a big public health problem.
