Table 1 Distribution of vector-borne diseases in Uganda
Disease | Vectors | Population at risk | Areas affected by the disease | No. people infected/annual incidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Malaria | Anopheles mosquitoes | Entire population of Uganda | 95 % of country is endemic, 5 % is epidemic | About 60 million fever cases treated annually in government and private facilities 5 % in Kampala to 63 % in mid-northern region |
Schistosomiasis | Freshwater snails | 5.7 million | 63 districts (along large water bodies: lakes, rivers, irrigated areas, etc.) | 4 million Prevalence 11–91 % |
Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis, hydrocele) | Anopheles, Culex mosquitoes | 14.5 million | 54 districts (east, north, Bundibugyo) | Prevalence 0.5 (western Uganda)—greater than 40 % (northeastern Uganda) |
Onchocerciasis (river blindness) | Simulium (blackflies) | 4.3 million | 37 districts (north, west, east) Eliminated from Mt Elgon focus (Bududa, Mbale, Manafwa, Sironko districts), Itwara focus (Kabarole, Kyenjojo districts), Wambabya focus (Hoima district), Kashoya focus (Kamwenge, Ibanda, Bushenyi districts) Mpamba-Nkusi focus (Kibaale district), Maracha-Terego focus (Arua, Yumbe, Maracha districts), Maramagambo focus (Rukungiri,Bushenyi districts),Wadelai focus (Nebbi district) by 2013 | 1.4 million infected (this number has declined due to elimination in various foci) Prevalence ten-nearly 100 % |
Sleeping sickness | Glossina (tsetse flies) | 13.6 million | 47 districts Trypanosoma bruceirhondesiense: 35 districts (southeast and east) Trypanosoma bruceigambiense: 12 districts (northwest) | 2572 cases reported 2001–2003 |
Plague | Rat fleas | 1.3 million | Zombo district (9/10 sub-counties except Phaida); Arua district (two sub-counties) and Nebbi district are affected | Recent outbreaks 2006: 127 cases (11 fatal) in Arua and Nebbi districts 2007: 179 cases (nine fatal) in Masindi, 121 cases (ten fatal) in Arua, 39 cases (nine fatal) in Nebbi districts 2008: 68 deaths in Arua and Nebbi districts |
Leshmaniasis | Sandflies | 1.2 million | 7 districts in northeast (Karamja region: Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kaabong, Kotido, Napak, Abim districts) | 408 cases reported in 2003 |
Trachoma | Houseflies (Musca spp.) | 10.8 million | 41 districts in east, north | Not known |
Tungiasis | Jigger fleas | 33.1 million | 112 districts (countrywide) but mainly in the Busoga region | Not known |