Understanding the epidemiology of Ebola Bundibugyo virus (EBV) in selected populations: a cross-sectional study in Buhendera and Bwamba counties, Bundibugyo district.

Nzanzu Twalibu; Sarah Nanyonga  Kiwanuka; William  Tinzara; Salum Seif  Salum; Charles K.  Twesigye; Harriet  Mugenyi; Geoffrey  Tugume

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2342

Authors

Twalibu J. Nzanzu Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.
Sarah Nanyonga Kiwanuka Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.
William Tinzara Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.
Salum Seif Salum State University of Zanzibar, P.O Box 1898, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Team University, School of Health Science, Plot 446, Kabaka A’njagala Rd, Mengo-Rubaga, Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.
Charles K. Twesigye Kyambogo University, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry Department P.O Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala Uganda
Harriet Mugenyi Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.
Geoffrey Tugume Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2342

Keywords:

Ebola, hemorrhagic fever, Bundibugyo, outbreak, laboratory-confirmed

Abstract

Background:

Bundibugyo district has an estimated population of 224,387 people. Ebola Bundibugyo was first identified in 2007, leaving over 150 people infected and over fifty-six deaths recorded, giving 40% fatality rate.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the six study sites, selected from each county. Risk factors, distribution, endemicity, and mode of action and transmission of this strain were examined. Risk factors, distribution, and endemicity were assessed using systematic sampling, mode of action, and transmission, and the anatomy was examined using the WHO standards of Automated or semi-automated nucleic acid tests (NAT) and antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

This research examines the general epidemiology of Ebola Bundibugyo among selected populations in Bughendera and Bwamba counties in Bundibugyo district. Bundibugyo had high cases, although these were not from the place where the first case was reported. The virus spread through movements, followed by Kasitu, who is believed to have reported the first case, Harugale, Busaru, Bubukwanga, Nduguto, and Karugutu. The majority of males (58.6%) said that they were involved in activities like collecting fruits from the forests, including hunting 41.4% were female who remained home waiting to cook what their male counterparts had brought from the forest. 72.2% reported that their relatives did not have access to the medical facilities. This indicates that healthcare facility accessibility was significantly related to EBV.

Conclusion:

The Ebola-Bundibugyo strain had a high fatality rate at 40%. The study revealed that cultural risk factors were more responsible for this distribution and severity of EBV.

Recommendations:

Ebola preventive messages should be incorporated into the routine health education scripts of the Ministry of Health of Uganda and the East African countries.

Author Biographies

Twalibu J. Nzanzu, Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.

Born on 20th September 1983 in Bundibugyo district. He has gone through various trajectories of academic excellence. He is a senator at Team University and Kampala University.

Sarah Nanyonga Kiwanuka, Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.

A senior Lecture and former head of the department of Chemistry, faculty of science, Kyambogo University. He holds a PhD in chemistry

William Tinzara, Kyambogo University1, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University2, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry. Department, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture, Kyambogo University

Salum Seif Salum, State University of Zanzibar, P.O Box 1898, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Team University, School of Health Science, Plot 446, Kabaka A’njagala Rd, Mengo-Rubaga, Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.

Vice-Chancellor of the State University of Zanzibar. Holds a PhD in Immunology.

Charles K. Twesigye, Kyambogo University, Department of Biological Science, Chemistry Department P.O Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala Uganda

A professor of Biogenetics and a Director of Graduate Programmes in the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University.

Harriet Mugenyi, Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.

Lecturer in the department of public Health at Team University.

Geoffrey Tugume, Kampala, University School of Health Sciences.

A senior Lecture in the department of business and an Internal Auditor in charge of Academics at Kampala University (Original). He is a researcher.

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