Spatio-temporal analysis of sheep and goat pox outbreaks in Uganda during 2011-2022.

BACKGROUND: Sheep and goat pox (SGP) caused by sheep poxvirus (SPV) and goat poxvirus (GPV) respectively; are transboundary and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-notifiable viral diseases. There is barely any coherent information about the distribution and prevalence of SGP for Uganda. We therefore conducted this study to describe the temporal and spatial distribution of SGP suspected outbreaks in Uganda for the period 2011-2020 as well as serologically confirm presence of SGP antibodies in suspected SGP outbreaks reported in 2021-2022. RESULTS: Thirty-seven [37] SGP outbreaks were reported across the country during the study period. North-eastern region [that comprises of Karamoja region] had the highest number of outbreaks [n = 17, 45%]; followed by Central [n = 9, 2.4%], Northern [n = 8, 2.2%] and Western region [n = 3, 0.08%]. Reports from district veterinary personnel indicate that the prevalence of; and mortality rate and case fatality rate associated with SGP were 0.06%, 0.02% and 32% respectively. There was a steady increase in the number of reported SGP outbreaks [x̄ = 4] over the study period. Seropositivity of SGPV antibodies in outbreak sheep and goats that were investigated during the study period [2021-2022] was [n = 41, 27%, 95 CI;] CONCLUSION: Our analyses of SGPV passive and active reports indicate that SGP is present in Uganda with a decade long average of four outbreaks per annum. During this period, about a third of all SGPV-clinically infected animals died. SPG is therefore a major constraint to small ruminant health and productivity in Uganda. Introduction of animals from infected herds and breach in farm biosecurity were the most important predictors of SGP outbreaks. In addition to the already existing SGP commercial vaccines, small ruminant screening for SGPV before introducing them to naïve herds and ensuring on farm biosecurity should be part of the SGP control tool pack for Ugandan small ruminant farmers.

Data on antimicrobial use in livestock: Lessons from Uganda.

In 2016, the General Assembly of the United Nations recognised inappropriate Antimicrobial Use (AMU) in livestock as one of the leading causes of increasing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This is happening at a time when livestock production is expected to increase dramatically particularly in Africa, in response to the large rise in aggregate demand due to population growth, urbanisation and increasing income levels. Therefore, understanding the characteristics and appropriateness of AMU in livestock in this region is of utmost importance, yet data is seldom available. We propose to collect information on AMU in livestock by including related questions in nationally representative agricultural surveys that are carried out regularly (annually or every 2-3 years) by National Statistical Offices. This approach, with its limitation though, is a viable and cost-effective way to gather essential information on AMU in livestock farming. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) piloted the introduction of key AMU questions in the Annual Agricultural Survey (AAS), gathering data from 6 thousand agricultural households nation-wide. Results show that AMU is considerable among livestock keeping households (35%), who use antibiotics not only for curative treatment (~58%) but also for disease prevention (~44%) and growth promotion (~5%). Data from the AAS also allows users to explore linkages between antibiotics use, livestock production practices (e.g. herd composition and size, feeding, breeding techniques, etc.) and other household / farm characteristics (e.g. location, education, household size, etc.), thereby effectively informing policy decisions.

Comparative Brucella abortus antibody prevalence in cattle under contrasting husbandry practices in Uganda.

A study was conducted in the Luwero and Nakasongola districts in central Uganda to determine and compare the prevalence and distribution of antibodies against Brucella abortus in cattle under contrasting husbandry practices, using two serological tests. Three hundred and fifteen serum samples were systematically sampled from 29 farms and subsequently tested using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and Indirect Antibody Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (I-ELISA). The overall prevalence of antibodies against Brucella abortus in the Nakasongola and Luwero districts was 2.4% and 4.7% on RBPT, compared with 1.2% and 3.34 % on I-ELISA. There was no significant difference between the results obtained by RBPT and indirect antibody ELISA (p > 0.05). It was noted that antibodies against Brucella abortus were widely spread over different farms regardless of the cattle grazing system (p > 0.05). Based on the findings, it is feasible to use RBPT as a cheaper screening alternative for brucellosis. A comprehensive national brucellosis study should be undertaken to study the epidemiology and prevalence of brucellosis in Uganda.