Yellow Fever (YF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by aedes mosquito species. Approximately, 200,000 cases and 30,000 deaths occur worldwide every year. In Ethiopia, the last outbreak was reported in 1966 with 2200 cases and 450 deaths. A number of cases with deaths from unknown febrile illness reported from South Ari district starting from November 2012. This investigation was conducted to identify the causative agent, source of the outbreak and recommend appropriate interventions. Medical records were reviewed and Patients and clinicians involved in managing the case were interviewed. Descriptive data analysis was done by time, person and place. Serum samples were collected for serological analysis it was done using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for initial screening and confirmatory tests were done using Plaque Reduction and Neutralization Test. Breteau and container indices were used for the entomological investigation to determine the risk of epidemic. A total of 141 Suspected YF cases with 43 deaths (CFR = 30.5%) were reported from November 2012 to October 2013 from South Omo Zone. All age groups were affected (mean 27.5, Range 1–75 Years). Of the total cases, 85.1% cases had jaundice and 56.7% cases had fever. Seven of the 21 samples were IgM positive for YF virus. Aedes bromeliae and Aedes aegypti were identified as responsible vectors of YF in affected area. The Breteau indices of Arkisha and Aykamer Kebeles were 44.4% and 33.3%, whereas the container indices were 12.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The investigation revealed that YF outbreak was reemerged after 50 years in Ethiopia. Vaccination should be given for the affected and neighboring districts and Case based surveillance should be initiated to detect every case.

Urinary tract infection (UTIs) is a significant health problem in diabetic patients because of the multiple effects of this disease on the urinary tract and host immune system. Complicated UTIs occur most commonly in patients with abnormal genitourinary tract. Proper investigation and prompt treatment are needed to prevent morbidity and serious life threatening condition associated with UTI and diabetes co-morbidities. To determine common uropathogens and antibiotic susceptibility patterns with associated risk factors among adult diabetic patients attending at St. Paul Specialized Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A hospital based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April–July 2015. A total of 248 diabetic patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic UTI were investigated for common uropathogens. Clean catch mid-stream urine specimens were collected from each study subjects. Uropathogens were isolated and identified by using conventional standard techniques. Samples were cultured on Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Antibiotic Susceptibility pattern was determined on Mueller-Hinton using Kirby –Bauer disc diffusion method. The collected data and the result of the laboratory were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The overall prevalence of uropathogens among diabetic patients was 56/248(22.6%) of which 21/177(11.9%) and 35/71(49.3%) had asymptomatic and symptomatic UTI respectively. E. coli 13/56(23.2%), Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONs) 7/56(12.5%), Enterococcus Spp.6/56 (10.7%), Candida albicans 10/56(17.9%) and Non-albicans Candida Spp. 9/56(16.1%) were the commonest isolated uropathogens. In this study uropathogens were significantly associated with being type II diabetes patient and having previous UTI history. Both gram positive and gram negative bacteria showed resistance to most tested antibiotics. Drug resistance to two or more drugs was observed in 81.1% of bacterial isolates. High prevalence of uropathogens and increased rate of Multi-drug resistance was shown in this study. Therefore, continued surveillance on uropathogens prevalence and resistance rates is needed to ensure appropriate recommendations for the empirical treatment, develop rational prescription programs and make policy decisions.

Background. Paederus dermatitis is an irritant contact dermatitis caused by crushing insects of the genus Paederus, which releases a vesicant toxin called pederin. On July 28, 2018, the district health office received a report of cases with erythema, itching, and burning after contact with the Paederus insect. In response, we investigated the outbreak intending to describe, confirm, and identify the risk factors associated with the countrys first reported outbreak. Methods. A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from August 10 to 22, 2018. Two hundred twenty-five (75 cases and 150 controls) study participants were involved in the study. Cases were defined as Bole subcity residents who had acute contact dermatitis after contact with the insect, while controls were persons who did not have contact with the insect. Cases were recruited consecutively as they present, whereas controls were selected by the neighborhood sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection, and multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the independent risk factors. The results were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95 confidence intervals (CIs). Results. A total of 122 cases were reported from the three districts of the subcity. The mean age of cases and controls was 23.6 (SD±16.4) and 29.4 (SD±10.9) years, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of outdoor light (AOR=5.1; 95 CI (2.5, 10.9), presence of rotten leaves (AOR=6.4; 95 CI (2.9, 15.7)), sleeping on the floor (AOR=6.1; 95 CI (2.5, 15.7)), wearing protective clothing (AOR=0.2; 95 CI (0.1, 0.4)), and use of insect repellant (AOR=0.1; 95 CI (0.0, 0.4)) were significantly associated with Paederus dermatitis outbreak. Conclusion. The investigation identified exposure to artificial light and the presence of rotten leaves around the residential area as important factors leading to an increase in the odds of Paederus dermatitis. In contrast, the use of insect repellant and wearing protective clothing were shown to provide protection. The investigation determined that reducing burning outdoor lights, cleaning excess vegetation, avoiding sleeping on the floor, using insect repellants, and wearing protective clothing can reduce the risk of contracting Paederus dermatitis.

Foodborne diseases are an increasing public health issue worldwide. Inadequate food safety laws and weak regulatory systems make it difficult to control food-related morbidity. Understanding the practices of meat handlers and materials used in the butcher shops is a critical input for appropriate intervention. This study aimed to assess butcher shop workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on foodborne pathogens and safety measures to be implemented at the butcher shop level. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 126 butcher shop workers. A structured questionnaire and observation were used. Interview was conducted face to face during working hours. Questions on food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices were valued 0 and 1 for wrong and correct answers, respectively. One hundred twenty-four (98.4%) of the study participants were male and the mean age was 29.1 ± 8 years. Fifty (40%) of butcher shop workers have unsatisfactory knowledge level of foodborne diseases with mean score of 6.2 ± 0.8 below the cut of points < 68% accuracy. Ninety-two (73%) respondents have a good attitude on food safety. Seventy -four (59%) of participants were not maintaining food safety practices. In conclusion, the knowledge level of respondents on the role of personal hygiene in reduction of foodborne diseases was unsatisfactory. Periodic training on food safety measures is critical to increase awareness of the butcher shop workers.

Introduction Generic and Shigatoxin producing E. coli with higher rate of antimicrobial resistance traits are frequently recovered from food of animal origin such as beef. Multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens from foods have become critical public health significance. Therefore, this study aimed to assess occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profile of generic and Shigatoxin producing E. coli isolates from beef samples collected from selected butcher shops in Addis Ababa city and Burayu town, Ethiopia Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2022. A total of 137 carcass (beef) swab samples were collected from 137 conveniently selected butcher shops. Specimens were inoculated into different agar plates, and colony morphology and biochemical characters were used for preliminary identification of E. coli. Confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using an automated BD-Phoenix machine. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were confirmed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction by amplifying target toxin, stx₁, stx₂, and eae attachment genes. Results. E. coli isolates were identified in 90 (81.0%) of samples analyzed. Twenty-two (19.8%) of the E. coli isolates were found to carry either Shigatoxin coding stx₁ and stx₂ (STEC) virulence genes, or eae attachment genes. The proportion of each gene among the positive isolates was 15 (68.2%) intimin, 3 (13.6%) stx₁, and 4 (18.2%) stx₂. A high rate of resistance was recorded to ampicillin 24 (21.6%) followed by cefoxitin 17(15.3%). Six (5.4%) and 5 (4.5%) of the isolates were positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamase, and carbapenemase production, respectively. In conclusion, a high proportion of beef samples were contaminated with Shigatoxin-producing E. coli, and MDR isolates to common classes of antimicrobials were detected among the E. coli beef isolates. Hence, there is a need for continuous monitoring to avoid the spread of MDR and food-borne pathogens to humans via food chains.