The Kibale EcoHealth Project has been conducting research in Kibale National Park, Uganda since 2005 based on the One Health concept of linking human, animal, and ecosystem health. Some of their key findings include that 20% of local participants have been injured by or had contact with domestic animals or primates, putting them at risk for zoonotic disease transmission. Several species of parasites have been found to be transmitted between primates and humans in the area, causing diseases like diarrhea. The project is working to increase awareness of zoonotic diseases and provides recommendations to reduce risky contact between humans and animals like encouraging people to avoid handling primates.

1. FACT
SHEET
Spread
the word!
The Kibale EcoHealth Project (KEP) has been conducting research in and around
Kibale National Park since 2005. The research that KEP undertakes is based on the
One Health concept, which explores the links between human health, animal
health, and ecosystem health. We are pleased to share results on risks of
zoonotic disease emergence and human health.
FACTS
1. About 20% (out of 1,240) of participants have been injured (breaking the skin)
by a domestic animal or had direct contact with a primate. This type of contact
is risky for zoonotic disease transmission. (Paige et al., 2014)
2. Men and boys have higher risk of direct contact with primates compared to
women and girls (Odds Ratio=3.57). (Paige et al., 2014)
3. Adults in the region are significantly aware of zoonotic diseases (p<0.05). Most
were concerned about worms, fever, flu from domestic animals, and Ebola,
monkeypox, and unknown illnesses from primates. (Paige et al 2015)
4. There are several species of whipworms and nodule worms that are shared
between primates and people in the Kibale area. Symptoms include diarrhea,
abdominal pain, painful defecation, and, in severe cases, rectal prolapse and
anemia (whipworm) and intestinal blockage (nodule worm). (Ghai et al., 2014)
5. Molecular evidence shows Cryptosporidium and Giardia, (parasites that cause
diarrheal disease), have been transmitted between primates and humans
(Johnston et al., 2010; Salyer, et al, 2012).
The Kibale EcoHealth Project hosted by the Kabarole
District Health Office welcomes you
Share these results with
colleagues. Discuss ideas for
reducing risky contact between
people and animals. Submit ideas
to the Zoonoses Priority Setting
Workshop. Your constituents are
counting on you!
UW Institute for Clinical and
Translational Research
UW ICTR
Recommendations:
 Encourage people to avoid
handling primates, instead, have
people contact UWA when they
discover dead wildlife
 Invite District Veterinary Staff to
provide training and education to
Village Health Workers on
prevention of disease from
domestic animals
 Include infection prevention and
control training for Village Health
Workers
 Establish guidelines for Village
Health Workers to trigger case
referral to Buhinga for isolation
and diagnostics
KEP is dedicated to building capacity
for research, education, and outreach
in disease ecology, community
wellbeing, and ecosystem health.
Contact us: Dr. Paige +1-206-321-
4855 or spaige@wisc.edu; Dr. Weny
g.wenyjones@yahoo.ca or 772-329-
318; Dr. Goldberg +1-608-890-2618
or tgoldberg@vetmed.wisc.edu
May 2015