Tanzania’s first Marburg Viral Disease outbreak response

Describing the roles of FELTP graduates and residents

Bibliographic Data

ID19593945
AuthorsAlly Hussein (0000-0002-6674-7487, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Rogath Kishimba (0000-0002-5437-7589, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Rogath Saika Kishimba, Azma Simba (corresponding author), Azma Ayoub Simba, Loveness John Urio, Loveness Urio (African Malaria Network Trust, corresponding author), Nsiande Andrew Lema, Nsiande Lema (African Malaria Network Trust, corresponding author), Vida Mmbaga (0000-0002-8776-9212, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), Vida Makundi Mmbaga, Beatrice Mutayoba (0000-0001-7798-2071, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), Beatrice Kemilembe Mutayoba, Nelson Edwin Malugu (Mzumbe University, corresponding author), Devotha Leonard (Mzumbe University, corresponding author), Joseph C Hokororo (0000-0003-4680-3450, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), Joseph Hokororo, Maria Ezekiely Kelly (0000-0002-1073-8864, corresponding author), Albert Paschal (corresponding author), Danstan Ngenzi (Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), James Andrew Hellar, James Hellar (Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), George Cosmas Kauki (0009-0001-9968-7118, corresponding author), Grace Saguti (0000-0001-5451-4419, corresponding author), Grace Elizabeth Saguti, Zabulon Yoti (0000-0001-7817-0382, corresponding author), Kokuhabwa Irene Mukurasi (0000-0002-9091-9808, University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), Marcelina Mponela (University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), George S Mgomella (0000-0002-9525-7612, University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), Wangeci Gatei (0000-0002-3644-5445, University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), Issesanda Kaniki (corresponding author), Mahesh Swaminathan (0000-0001-5827-3245, University of Dar es Salaam, corresponding author), Elias Masau Kwesi, Elias Kwesi (Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), Tumaini Nagu (0000-0001-8529-2804, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, corresponding author), Tumaini Joseph Nagu
EditorsClaire J Standley (0000-0002-4291-9723)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue5
Pagese0003189
Publication date2024-05-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0003189
PMID38809954
OpenAlexW4399118719
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited11

Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Outbreak presents a significant public health threat, requiring a timely, robust, and well-coordinated response. This paper aims to describe the roles of the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (TFELTP) graduates and residents in responding to Tanzania’s first Marburg Viral Disease (MVD) outbreak. We performed a secondary data analysis using a range of documents, such as rosters of deployed responders and the TFELTP graduate and resident database, to count and describe them. Additionally, we conducted an exploratory textual analysis of field deployment reports and outbreak situational reports to delineate the roles played by the residents and graduates within each response pillar. A total of 70 TFELTP graduates and residents from different regions were involved in supporting the response efforts. TFELTP graduates and residents actively participated in several interventions, including contact tracing and follow up, sensitising clinicians on surveillance tools such as standard case definitions, alert management, supporting the National and Kagera Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres, active case search, risk communication, and community engagement, coordination of logistics, passenger screening at points of entry, and conducting Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) assessments and orientations in 144 Health Facilities. The successes achieved and lessons learned from the MVD response lay a foundation for sustained investment in skilled workforce development. FELTP Training is a key strategy for enhancing global health security and strengthening outbreak response capabilities in Tanzania and beyond

Contact tracing · Disease · Disease surveillance · Environmental health · Environmental planning · Geography · Outbreak · Pathology · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public health · Tanzania · Workforce · Workforce development · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Medicine · Nursing · Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research · Viral Infections and Vectors · Virology