Long-distance truck drivers and the increasing risk of COVID-19 spread in Uganda. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bajunirwe, Francis; Izudi, Jonathan; Asiimwe, Stephen
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 98(2020)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.06.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: COVID-19 was first detected in Uganda in the third week of March 2020. Although the number of COVID-19 cases has grown steadily, data have not been analyzed to determine whether a pattern in the nature of cases has emerged. The first cases were detected among international arrivals and after that among their local contacts. However, in mid-April, a number of cases were detected among long-distance truck drivers arriving from the neighboring countries. Among the 442 cases that have tested positive, a majority, 317 (71.8%) were truck drivers, 75 (16.9%) were community cases, and 50 (11.3%) were international arrivals. A majority of the community cases have been linked to contact with long-distance truck drivers; interventions are urgently needed to protect long-distance truck drivers. Abstract: Objective: To examine the patterns of COVID-19 transmission in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed ten weeks of press releases from the Uganda Ministry of Health from the day when the first case was announced, March 22, through May 29, 2020. We obtained the press releases from the MoH website and the Twitter handle (@MinofHealthUG). Data include the number of persons tested and the categories were classified as international arrivals, community members, and long-distance truck drivers. Results: The first cases were international arrivals from Asia and Europe, and after that, community cases emerged. However, in the middle of April 2020, COVID-19 cases were detected among long-distance truck drivers. By May 29, 2020, 89, 224 persons had been tested; overall, 442 tested positive. Of those that tested positive, the majority, or 317 (71.8%) were truck drivers, 75 (16.9%) were community cases, and 50 (11.3%) were international arrivals. The majority of community cases have been linked to contact with truck drivers. Conclusions: Truck drivers were the most frequently diagnosed category, and have become a core group for COVID-19 in Uganda. They have generated significant local transmission, which now threatens a full-blown epidemic unless strict controls are put in place.