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Cholera in Uganda Could be Genetically Spread

Published

5 years ago

on

January 27, 2020

By

Mark Wamai

Assoc. Prof. Christopher Garimoi (right), congratulates Dr. Godfrey Bwire (Left) after he was conferred upon his PhD during Day 1 of the 70th Graduation Ceremony, 14th January 2020, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. Photo Credit: New Vision

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A study by the Ministry of Health and Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), has ruled out water sources being possible reservoirs of cholera causing bacteria.

The findings hint at the genetic spread of cholera in Uganda, East and Central African regions.

“Our study discovered that water sources were possibly not reservoirs for the epidemic vibrio cholera, a bacteria that causes cholera,” Dr.Godfrey Bwire, the lead researcher said.

The study found that cholera outbreaks in Uganda were due to three genetically related vibrio cholerae types or clones.

The clones, according to Bwire, showed that transmission was within Uganda, East, and Central African regions,” he added.

Bwire studied molecular characterization and rapid detection of vibrio cholerae bacteria in Uganda; the relationship between human pathogens and aquatic environment, as his doctorate programme at MUSPH. He was among many who graduated at Makerere University recently.

He is also a principal medical officer in charge of controlling diarrheal diseases at the health ministry.