Submission ID 118219
| Issue/Objective | Epidemic preparedness systems are vital for timely detection of disease outbreaks and critical to containing in-country and cross-border transmission. The 7-1-7 framework (2020) aims at strengthening countries' capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks by monitoring timely action by detecting outbreaks within seven days, notifying public health authorities within one day, and initiating an effective response within seven days [9]. We monitored the timeliness of outbreak response by applying the 7-1-7 framework to six disease outbreaks in Uganda during March-July 2024. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We reviewed documents related to six notifiable disease outbreaks including M-pox in Kasese District, yellow fever (Ngora and Bundibugyo), measles (Moroto), anthrax (Kween) and cholera (Kyotera). Timeliness of detection, notification and response were defined according to the 7-1-7 framework. Key informant interviews were conducted at facility, district and national level to identify barrier and facilitators. |
| Results | Timely detection varied from 2 to 155 days and targets were met for MPOX (3), Anthrax (2) and Cholera (5), but not for Yellow fever (9/155) and Measles (21). Timely notification ranged from 0 to 58 days and targets were met for measles (0), cholera (1) and MPOX (1) but not for Anthrax (5) and Yellow fever (55/58). The timeliness of response ranged from 1 to 21 days and targets were met for Anthrax (1) and Yellow fever (2/Bundibugyo) but not for MPOX (9), Cholera (11) Measles (21) and Yellow fever (14). Facilitators of preparedness included health worker awareness, existence of functional laboratory, existence of a sentinel surveillance site, functional reporting systems, good communication, existence of rapid response team, and a regional PHEOC, the existence of laboratory focal person, provision of tests kits and treatment, multi-sectoral coordination and provision of logistical support. Barriers included low workforce capacity in private sector, co-morbidity of diseases and limited laboratory testing capacities, poor communication, logistical challenges, limited workforce support, regional insecurity and inadequate human and financial resources. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | For epidemic preparedness, workforce and laboratory capacities need strengthening especially in the private sector. Timely notification should be improved by harnessing technology for communication and timely response should be enhanced by strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration, harnessing and coordinating limited resources. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Suzanne kiwanuka Makerere University School of Public Health Angela Kisakye Makerere University School of Public Health Wilson Tusiime Makerere University School of Public Health Alex Mulyowa Makerere University School of Public Health Bernard Lubwama Makerere University School of Public Health Simon Antara AFENET Allan Muruta Ministry of Health Uganda |
