Rotavirus vaccination has resulted in a notable decline in hospital admissions for rotavirus infections in a rural resource-limited population in Kenya. This provides early evidence for continued use of rotavirus vaccines in routine childhood immunisations in Kenya. Our data also underscore the need for expanding coverage on second dose so as to maximise the impact of the vaccine.
Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is endemic in Ethiopia. The epidemiological and clinical aspects of LBRF and the differences between the infection in children and that in adults were investigated in a rural hospital in Ethiopia. During the 5-year study (1997-2002), 197 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of LBRF. Most (62.1%) of the cases were children under 15 years of age. The adult cases (i.e. those aged > or =15 years) were far more likely to present with headache (76.9% v. 40%; P <0.001), musculo-skeletal pains (61.5% v. 30.5%; P <0.001), dizziness (64% v. 39%; P =0.002) and bleeding (16.9% v. 3.8%; P =0.005) than the paediatric. The overall level of case fatality was 6.4%. Death appeared to be significantly associated with adulthood (P =0.01), delay in consultation (P =0.026) and the presence of vomiting (P =0.023). LBRF is clearly still a public-health problem in Ethiopia, where the clinical manifestations of the disease differ according to the age of the case.
Pathogens handled in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) containment laboratory pose significant risks to laboratory staff and the environment. It is therefore necessary to develop competency and proficiency among laboratory workers and to promote appropriate behavior and practices that enhance safety through biosafety training. Following the installation of our BSL-3 laboratory at the Center for Microbiology Research-Kenya Medical Research Institute in 2006, a biosafety training program was developed to provide training on BSL-3 safety practices and procedures. The training program was developed based on World Health Organization specifications, with adjustments to fit our research activities and biosafety needs. The program is composed of three phases, namely initial assessment, a training phase including theory and a practicum, and a final assessment. This article reports the content of our training program.
The NUITM-KEMRI biosafety training program was developed for capacity building of new biosafety level three (BSL-3) laboratory users. The training program comprehensively covers biosafety and biosecurity theory and practice. Its training curriculum is based on the WHO biosafety guidelines, local biosafety standards, and ongoing biosafety level three research activities in the facility, also taking into consideration the emerging public health issues. The program’s training approach enhances the participant’s biosafety and biosecurity knowledge and builds their skills through the hands-on practice sessions and mentorship training. Subsequently, the trainees are able to integrate acquired knowledge and good practices into their routine laboratory procedures. This article describes implementation of the NUITM-KEMRI biosafety training program.
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