Syndromic surveillance of peste des petits ruminants and other animal diseases in Koinadugu district, Sierra Leone, 2011-2012.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct syndromic surveillance for important veterinary diseases in Koinadugu district, Northern Province, Sierra Leone. METHODS: This study examined all veterinary syndromic surveillance reports submitted to the district veterinary office from January 2011 through December 2012. RESULTS: In total, 5679 case reports were submitted, including 2394 fatalities. The most common syndrome reported was consistent with peste de petits ruminants (PPR) in goats (n = 1649). PPR cases were reported from eight of 11 chiefdoms in the district, with a 42 per 1000 reported incidence rate and a 48 % case fatality rate. Other syndromes reported were consistent with trypanosomiasis in cattle (n = 1402), Newcastle disease in poultry (n = 911), black quarter in cattle (n = 691), and haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle (n = 542). CONCLUSIONS: Expanded use of the PPR virus vaccine may be required to help control the spread of the infection. Improved community-based prevention efforts may be effective for better control of trypanosomiasis and all these conditions.

Presumptive self-diagnosis of malaria and other febrile illnesses in Sierra Leone.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-diagnosis of malaria and other febrile illnesses in Bo, Sierra Leone. METHODS: All households in two neighboring sections of Bo were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: A total of 882 households (an 85% participation rate) that were home to 5410 individuals participated in the study. Of the 910 individuals reported to have had what the household considered to be malaria in the past month, only 41% were diagnosed by a healthcare professional or a laboratory test. Of the 1402 individuals reported to have had any type of febrile illness within the past six months, only 34% had sought a clinical or laboratory diagnosis. Self-diagnosis of influenza, yellow fever, typhoid, and pneumonia was also common. CONCLUSION: Self-diagnosis and presumptive treatment with antimalarial drugs and other antibiotic medications that are readily available without a prescription may compromise health outcomes for febrile adults and children.