Development of digital health messages for rural populations in Tanzania: Multi- And interdisciplinary approach

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Bruk av en Én Helse tilnærming for forståelse av epidemiologiske forhold og håndtering av miltbrann hos mennesker og dyr i grensesnittområder i Nord-Tanzania

Zoonotic diseases are infections, which are transmissible between animals and humans. In both low and middle-income countries (LMIC), animals (livestock or wildlife) and humans often live close together. In LMIC, people are especially dependent on livestock and poultry for food, clothing, fertilizer, draught power, workforce, and as an important financial security. This interaction between humans, livestock and wildlife can easily result in an interspecies transmission of zoonotic diseases. The overall aim of this study was to identify the drivers of infection and options for prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the humans-livestock-wildlife and environmental health interface areas of Northern Tanzania. Specifically the study intended: (i) to identify hotspot areas of anthrax outbreaks in the human-livestock-wildlife interface areas of northern Tanzania; (ii) to assess the efficiency of the existing structures for response to anthrax outbreaks using a One Health approach; (iii) to determine the risk factors associated with frequent anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of northern Tanzania and (iv) to determine the influence of climatic and environmental factors for the spatial distribution of Bacillus anthracis spores in Tanzania and use this information in disease control and prevention.Zoonotic diseases are infections, which are transmissible between animals and humans. In both low and middle-income countries (LMIC), animals (livestock or wildlife) and humans often live close together. In LMIC, people are especially dependent on livestock and poultry for food, clothing, fertilizer, draught power, workforce, and as an important financial security. This interaction between humans, livestock and wildlife can easily result in an interspecies transmission of zoonotic diseases. The overall aim of this study was to identify the drivers of infection and options for prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the humans-livestock-wildlife and environmental health interface areas of Northern Tanzania. Specifically the study intended: (i) to identify hotspot areas of anthrax outbreaks in the human-livestock-wildlife interface areas of northern Tanzania; (ii) to assess the efficiency of the existing structures for response to anthrax outbreaks using a One Health approach; (iii) to determine the risk factors associated with frequent anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of northern Tanzania and (iv) to determine the influence of climatic and environmental factors for the spatial distribution of Bacillus anthracis spores in Tanzania and use this information in disease control and prevention.World BankpublishedVersio

Prevention, detection, and response to anthrax outbreak in Northern Tanzania using one health approach: A case study of Selela ward in Monduli district

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Use of a One Health approach for understanding the epidemiology and management of anthrax outbreaks in the human-livestock-wildlife and environmental health interface areas of Northern Tanzania

Zoonotic diseases are infections, which are transmissible between animals and humans. In both low and middle-income countries (LMIC), animals (livestock or wildlife) and humans often live close together. In LMIC, people are especially dependent on livestock and poultry for food, clothing, fertilizer, draught power, workforce, and as an important financial security. This interaction between humans, livestock and wildlife can easily result in an interspecies transmission of zoonotic diseases. The overall aim of this study was to identify the drivers of infection and options for prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the humans-livestock-wildlife and environmental health interface areas of Northern Tanzania. Specifically the study intended: (i) to identify hotspot areas of anthrax outbreaks in the human-livestock-wildlife interface areas of northern Tanzania; (ii) to assess the efficiency of the existing structures for response to anthrax outbreaks using a One Health approach; (iii) to determine the risk factors associated with frequent anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of northern Tanzania and (iv) to determine the influence of climatic and environmental factors for the spatial distribution of Bacillus anthracis spores in Tanzania and use this information in disease control and prevention

Anthrax outbreaks in the humans - livestock and Wildlife interface areas of Northern Tanzania: a retrospective record review 2006–2016

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Data from: Anthrax outbreaks in the humans-livestock and wildlife interface areas of northern Tanzania: a retrospective review 2006 - 2016

BACKGROUND: Anthrax outbreaks in Tanzania have been reported from the human, livestock and wildlife sectors over several years, and is among the notifiable diseases. Despite frequent anthrax outbreaks, there is no comprehensive dataset indicating the magnitude and distribution of the disease in susceptible species. This study is a retrospective review of anthrax outbreaks from the human, livestock, and wildlife surveillance systems from 2006 to 2016. The objectives were to identify hotspot districts, describe anthrax epidemiology in the hotspot areas, evaluate the efficiency of the anthrax response systems and identify potential areas for further observational studies. METHODS: We prepared a spreadsheet template for a retrospective comprehensive record review at different surveillance levels in Tanzania. We captured data elements including demographic characteristics of different species, the name of health facility, and date of anthrax diagnosis. Also, we collected data on the date of specimen collection, species screened, type of laboratory test, laboratory results and the outcome recorded at the end of treatment in humans. After establishing the database, we produced maps in Quantum GIS software and transferred cleaned data to Stata software for supportive statistical analysis. RESULTS: Anthrax reported incidences over 4 years in humans were much higher in the Arusha region (7.88/100,000) followed by Kilimanjaro region (6.64/100,000) than other regions of Tanzania Mainland. The health facility based review from hotspot districts in parts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions from 2006 to 2016, identified 330 human anthrax cases from the selected health facilities in the two regions. Out of 161 livestock and 57 wildlife specimen tested, 103 and 18 respectively, were positive for anthrax. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that there is gross under-reporting in the existing surveillance systems which is an obstacle for estimating a true burden of anthrax in the hotspot districts. Repeated occurrences of anthrax in livestock, wildlife and humans in the same locations at the same time calls for the need to strengthen links and promote inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance prevention and control measures under a One Health approach

Ecological niche modeling as a tool for prediction of the potential geographic distribution of Bacillus anthracis spores in Tanzania

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Data from: Anthrax outbreaks in the humans-livestock and wildlife interface areas of northern Tanzania: a retrospective review 2006 - 2016

BACKGROUND: Anthrax outbreaks in Tanzania have been reported from the human, livestock and wildlife sectors over several years, and is among the notifiable diseases. Despite frequent anthrax outbreaks, there is no comprehensive dataset indicating the magnitude and distribution of the disease in susceptible species. This study is a retrospective review of anthrax outbreaks from the human, livestock, and wildlife surveillance systems from 2006 to 2016. The objectives were to identify hotspot districts, describe anthrax epidemiology in the hotspot areas, evaluate the efficiency of the anthrax response systems and identify potential areas for further observational studies. METHODS: We prepared a spreadsheet template for a retrospective comprehensive record review at different surveillance levels in Tanzania. We captured data elements including demographic characteristics of different species, the name of health facility, and date of anthrax diagnosis. Also, we collected data on the date of specimen collection, species screened, type of laboratory test, laboratory results and the outcome recorded at the end of treatment in humans. After establishing the database, we produced maps in Quantum GIS software and transferred cleaned data to Stata software for supportive statistical analysis. RESULTS: Anthrax reported incidences over 4 years in humans were much higher in the Arusha region (7.88/100,000) followed by Kilimanjaro region (6.64/100,000) than other regions of Tanzania Mainland. The health facility based review from hotspot districts in parts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions from 2006 to 2016, identified 330 human anthrax cases from the selected health facilities in the two regions. Out of 161 livestock and 57 wildlife specimen tested, 103 and 18 respectively, were positive for anthrax. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that there is gross under-reporting in the existing surveillance systems which is an obstacle for estimating a true burden of anthrax in the hotspot districts. Repeated occurrences of anthrax in livestock, wildlife and humans in the same locations at the same time calls for the need to strengthen links and promote inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance prevention and control measures under a One Health approach