Weekly Bulletin on Outbreaks and other Emergencies: Week 11: 6 to 12 March 2023 (Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 March 2023)

This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region. This week’s articles cover:

• Rift Valley fever in Uganda

• COVID-19 in the WHO African Region

For each of these events, a brief description, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation is provided.

A table is provided at the end of the bulletin with information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed.

Major issues and challenges include:

Confirmed human cases of Rift Valley fever have been reported in Mbarara District since February 2023, following confirmation of the disease in animals since December 2022. Veterinary surveillance activities have been initiated with support from the Uganda Virus Research Institute, but funding is needed to continue these activities and support veterinary investigations. Public health interventions are also being implemented, but funding is not available to support key response activities such as case management, district-level surveillance, health education, community sensitization and vector control activities.