Mass gatherings frequently include close, prolonged interactions between people, which presents opportunities for infectious disease transmission. Over 20,000 pilgrims gathered at Namugongo Catholic and Protestant shrines to commemorate 2022 Uganda Martyr’s Day. We described syndromes suggestive of key priority diseases particularly COVID–19 and viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) among visiting pilgrims during May 25−June 5, 2022. A suspected COVID–19 case was defined as ≥2 signs or symptoms of: fever >37.50C, flu, cough, and difficulty in breathing whereas a suspected VHF case was defined as fever >37.50C and unexplained bleeding among pilgrims who visited Namugongo Catholic and Protestant shrines from May 25 to June 5, 2022. Pilgrims were sampled systematically at entrances and demarcated zonal areas to participate in the survey. Additionally, we extracted secondary data on pilgrims who sought emergency medical services from Health Management Information System registers. Descriptive analysis was conducted to identify syndromes suggestive of key priority diseases based on signs and symptoms. Among 1,350 pilgrims interviewed, 767 (57%) were female. The mean age was 37.9 (±17.9) years. Nearly all pilgrims 1,331 (98.6%) were Ugandans. A total of 236 (18%) reported ≥1 case definition symptom and 25 (2%) reported ≥2 symptoms. Twenty-two (1.6%) were suspected COVID–19 cases and three (0.2%) were suspected VHF cases from different regions of Uganda. Among 5,582 pilgrims who sought medical care from tents, 538 (9.6%) had suspected COVID–19 and one had suspected VHF. Almost one in fifty pilgrims at the 2022 Uganda Martyrs’ commemoration had at least one symptom of COVID–19 or VHF. Overall, we identified 4 Viral Hemorrhagic Fever and 560 COVID-19 suspected cases during the 2022 Uganda Martyrs’ commemoration. Intensified syndromic surveillance and planned laboratory testing capacity at mass gatherings is important for early detection of public health emergencies that could stem from such events.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is among the health damaging air pollutants; levels >15 µg/m3 are associated with adverse health effects. We assessed spatio–temporal trends of air quality based on PM2.5 concentration in Kampala City during January 2020–June 2022. We abstracted PM2.5 concentrations generated by twenty–four Clarity© Node Solar–Powered monitors from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, from the Clarity© dashboard. We computed 24–hour average PM2.5 concentrations by combining data from all monitors. Average PM2.5 concentrations per hour were compared by hour of the day. Seasonal Mann–Kendall statistical test was applied to assess significance of observed trends. Overall, the 24–hour average PM2.5 concentration from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, was 59 µg/m3 (range: 18–182 µg/m3). A statistically significant decline in PM2.5 occurred throughout the assessment period from January 2020 to June 2022 (r = –0.27, p < 0.001). PM2.5 increased from April to June each year [2020 (55 µg/m3, r=0.56, p=0.006), 2021 (45 µg/m3, r=0.26, p=0.030), and 2022 (37 µg/m3, r=0.37, p=0.030)] and declined from July to September in 2021 (57 µg/m3, r=–0.43, p=0.008) and January to March in 2022 (60 µg/m3, r=–0.41, p=0.011). PM2.5 concentration peaked from 10am–midday (74–73 µg/m3) and 8pm–9pm (73–77 µg/m3). PM2.5 concentrations exceeded targeted safe levels on all days in Kampala City during 2020–2022.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is among the health damaging air pollutants that pose health risks to humans, with levels >15 µg/m3 being associated with adverse health effects. PM2.5 has been recommended as the best measure of air quality. Cities are more prone to poor air quality compared to non–urban areas. We assessed the spatio–temporal trends in air quality in Kampala City during January 2020–June 2022. We abstracted PM2.5 concentrations generated by twenty–four Clarity© Node Solar–Powered monitors from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, from the Clarity© dashboard. We computed 24–hour average PM2.5 concentrations at city and division levels by combining data from all monitors. Average PM2.5 concentrations per hour were compared by the hour of the day. We generated choropleth maps and line graphs to show trends in 24–hour average PM2.5 concentrations in Kampala City over the study period. The seasonal Mann–Kendall statistical test was applied to assess the significance of observed trends based on Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient (r) and p–values. Overall, the 24–hour average PM2.5 concentration from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, was 59 µg/m3 (range: 18–182 µg/m3). PM2.5 concentrations exceeded 15 µg/m3 in all city divisions: Kawempe (63 µg/m3), Central (61 µg/m3), Rubaga (60 µg/m3), Nakawa (55 µg/m3) and Makindye (53 µg/m3). A statistically significant decline in PM2.5 occurred throughout the assessment period from January 2020 to June 2022 (r = –0.27, p < 0.001). PM2.5 increased from April to June each year [2020 (55 µg/m3, r=0.56, p=0.006), 2021 (45 µg/m3, r=0.26, p=0.030), and 2022 (37 µg/m3, r=0.37, p=0.030)] and declined from July to September in 2021 (57 µg/m3, r=–0.43, p=0.008) and January to March in 2022 (60 µg/m3, r=–0.41, p=0.011). PM2.5 concentration peaked from 10am–midday (74–73 µg/m3) and 8pm–9pm (73–77 µg/m3). PM2.5 concentrations exceeded targeted safe levels on all days in Kampala City during 2020–2022. In 2022, Kampala Capital City Authority developed the Kampala City Clean Air Action Plan with interventions to be undertaken by multiple partners aimed at improving air quality, including further monitoring.
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