Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) are infections that have newly appeared in a population or have existed previously but are rapidly increasing in incidence. Emerging infections account for at least 12% of all human pathogens.
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.
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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.
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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.
//Cue in:” There was backsliding ….
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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.
