About This Study
Strengthening Community-Led Surveillance for Zoonotic Diseases in the Ankole Cattle Corridor, Uganda
A community-led zoonotic disease surveillance study across the Ankole cattle corridor (Kiruhura, Isingiro, Kazo, Ntungamo, Lyantonde, and Mbarara), led by a consortium of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Kampala International University (KIU), and Metropolitan International University (MIU), in collaboration with each district's Local Government, evaluating whether equipping Village Health Teams with a simple reporting tool can detect zoonotic spillover -- animal-to-human disease transmission -- faster than the current facility-based system.
VHTs and LC1 Chairpersons are trained to recognise and report priority signs of Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rabies, Mpox, Rift Valley Fever, and Ebola Virus Disease within 24 hours, in both animals and people, using ZoonoAlert, SMS, WhatsApp, or a direct call to district staff.
Research Team
Dr. Mubangizi Sebastian, MBChB
Project Coordinator, MUST
Dr. Niwamanya Jawadu
Project Coordinator, KIU
Dr. Ihato Ivor Twirire
ZoonoAlert App Developer, MUST Radiology resident
Dr. Bule Richard
External Relations, Neurosurgery resident, University of Rwanda
Ms. Ainebyoona Hope
VHT Mobiliser
Prof. Mugema Edgar
Project Head, Professor of Public Health, MUST
Dr. Kamugisha Nelson
Researcher and Project Coordinator, MIU
Dr. Owaraganise Asiphas
Epidemiologist
Case-definition content sourced from CDC, WHO/WOAH (OIE), and Uganda's IDSR guidelines. ZoonoAlert is modeled on validated community-based surveillance approaches including Red Cross Nyss, Tanzania's SACIDS AfyaData, and Thailand's PODD system.