Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-3 (of 3 Records) |
Query Trace: Mponela M[original query] |
---|
Etiologies of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections in Tanzania, 2017-2019
Kelly ME , Gharpure R , Shivji S , Matonya M , Moshi S , Mwafulango A , Mwalongo V , Mghamba J , Simba A , Balajee SA , Gatei W , Mponela M , Saguti G , Whistler T , Moremi N , Mmbaga V . PLOS Glob Public Health 2023 3 (2) e0000906 In 2016, Tanzania expanded sentinel surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to include testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRVs) and additional respiratory pathogens at 9 sentinel sites. During 2017-2019, respiratory specimens from 2730 cases underwent expanded testing: 2475 specimens (90.7%) were tested using a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-developed assay covering 7 NIRVs (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus 1, 2, and 3) and influenza A and B viruses. Additionally, 255 specimens (9.3%) were tested using the Fast-Track Diagnostics Respiratory Pathogens 33 (FTD-33) kit which covered the mentioned viruses and additional viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. Influenza viruses were identified in 7.5% of all specimens; however, use of the CDC assay and FTD-33 kit increased the number of specimens with a pathogen identified to 61.8% and 91.5%, respectively. Among the 9 common viruses between the CDC assay and FTD-33 kit, the most identified pathogens were RSV (22.9%), rhinovirus (21.8%), and adenovirus (14.0%); multi-pathogen co-detections were common. Odds of hospitalization (SARI vs. ILI) varied by sex, age, geographic zone, year of diagnosis, and pathogen identified; hospitalized illnesses were most common among children under the age of 5 years. The greatest number of specimens were submitted for testing during December-April, coinciding with rainy seasons in Tanzania, and several viral pathogens demonstrated seasonal variation (RSV, human metapneumovirus, influenza A and B, and parainfluenza viruses). This study demonstrates that expanding an existing influenza platform to include additional respiratory pathogens can provide valuable insight into the etiology, incidence, severity, and geographic/temporal patterns of respiratory illness. Continued respiratory surveillance in Tanzania, and globally, can provide valuable data, particularly in the context of emerging respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, and guide public health interventions to reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses. |
The role of community pharmacies in early detection of suspected COVID-19 cases in 2020: lessons from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Mohamed H , Faini D , Ngailo L , Munishi C , Mutayoba R , Mmbuji P , Mponela M , Subi L , Kwesi E , Mpembeni R , Jalloh MF , Gatei W , Bakari M , Mghamba J . BMJ Glob Health 2023 8 (2) Tanzania reported its first COVID-19 case on 16 March 2020. We conducted event-based surveillance of COVID-19 suspect cases among pharmacy clients presenting with respiratory symptoms and influenza-like illness to increase early and rapid detection of COVID-19 cases and mitigate transmission. We conveniently sampled 103 pharmacies from Dar es Salaam, the epicentre for the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania at the time. Between 23 April 2020 and 18 May 2020, 67% of the pharmacies (69/103) reported an observed increase in the number of clients presenting with respiratory symptoms and influenza-like illness compared with the 1 month before the COVID-19 outbreak. In the 1-month surveillance period, the participating pharmacies recorded 75 alerts of COVID-19 suspect cases and referred all suspected COVID-19 cases to rapid response teams for additional symptomatic screening and SARS-CoV-2 testing. A key implementation challenge was that some clients identified as COVID-19 suspected cases were hesitant to provide follow-up information for linkage to rapid response teams. Addressing concerns among drug dispensers in the participating pharmacies and informing them of the benefits of the surveillance activity were important implementation components. Our approach demonstrates the overall feasibility of rapidly implementing an event-based surveillance system for an emerging health threat through an existing network of pharmacies within the community. The approach and tools used in this surveillance activity could be adapted in similar settings to detect and generate alerts of disease outbreaks in the community that other surveillance systems may otherwise miss. |
Severe acute respiratory illness deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and the role of influenza: a case-series from 8 countries
McMorrow ML , Wemakoy EO , Tshilobo JK , Emukule GO , Mott JA , Njuguna H , Waiboci L , Heraud JM , Rajatonirina S , Razanajatovo NH , Chilombe M , Everett D , Heyderman RS , Barakat A , Nyatanyi T , Rukelibuga J , Cohen AL , Cohen C , Tempia S , Thomas J , Venter M , Mwakapeje E , Mponela M , Lutwama J , Duque J , Lafond K , Nzussouo NT , Williams T , Widdowson MA . J Infect Dis 2015 212 (6) 853-60 BACKGROUND: Data on causes of respiratory deaths in Africa are limited. METHODS: From January to April 2013, 28 African countries were invited to participate in a review of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) deaths identified from influenza surveillance during 2009 - 2012. RESULTS: Twenty-three (82%) countries responded, 11 (48%) collect mortality data, and 8 provided data. Data were collected from 37,714 SARI cases and 3091 (8.2%, range by country 5.1-25.9%) tested positive for influenza. There were 1073 (2.8%, range by country 0.1-5.3%) deaths reported among whom 57 (5.3%) were influenza-positive. Case fatality proportion (CFP) was higher among countries with systematic death reporting than those with sporadic reporting. The influenza-associated CFP was 1.8% (57/3091) compared to 2.9% (1016/34,623) for influenza-negative cases (p<0.001). Among 834 (77.7%) deaths tested for other respiratory pathogens, rhinovirus (n=107, 12.8%), adenovirus (n=64, 6.0%), respiratory syncytial virus (n=60, 5.6%), and S. pneumoniae (n=57, 5.3%) were most commonly identified. Among 1073 deaths, 402 (37.5%) were aged 0-4 years, 462 (43.1%) aged 5-49 years, and 209 (19.5%) aged 50 years and older. CONCLUSIONS: Few African countries systematically collect data on respiratory hospitalization outcomes. Stronger surveillance for respiratory deaths may identify risk groups for targeted vaccine use and other prevention strategies. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 13, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure