title: Institutional frameworks for management of epizoonotic emergencies in six countries in the Eastern Africa region: a situational analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Eastern Africa region is a hot-spot for epidemics of emerging zoonotic diseases ('epizoonotics'). However, the region's capacity for response to epidemics of zoonotic origin has not been documented. This paper presents a multi-country situational analysis on the institutional frameworks for management of zoonotic epidemics in the Eastern Africa region.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-country assessment of 6 country teams was conducted (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, DRC and Rwanda). It involved a review of records and interviews with key informants from agencies with a stake in the management of zoonotic and disasters in general in the respective countries. Qualitative data were analyzed for key emerging themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are many socio-cultural risk factors to epidemic prone zoonotic diseases in the region. Countries have varying levels of preparedness for zoonotic emergencies. All 6 countries have a framework for disaster management. However, technical response to epidemics is managed by the line sectors, with limited Inter-sectoral collaboration. Some sectors were disproportionately more prepared than others. Surveillance systems are mostly passive and inadequate for early detection. All 6 countries have built reasonable capacity to respond to avian influenza, but not other zoonotic emergencies. Most countries lack personnel at the operational levels, and veterinary public health services are ill-facilitated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is need to strengthen veterinary public health services at all levels, but with a 'one health' approach. There is also need to establish 'risk-based surveillance' hot spots for zoonotic epidemics and to build community resilience 'epizoonotic' diseases.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bazeyo
authors.forename: Roy W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Mayega
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nabukenya
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keyyu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mamuya
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tabu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Senna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rugigana
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alingi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mapatano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiguli
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Orach
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burnham
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killewo
mesh_terms: D000351:Africa, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058872:Epidemics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000517:prevention & control