Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance, Laboratory Testing, and Outbreak Response in Uganda: 2010-2012

Background: Uganda is endemic for viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) and other zoonotic diseases. Beginning in July 2010 the Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB), CDC, the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), and the Ministry of Health (MOH) established a first of it’s kind National VHF surveillance program. In addition, a permanent National VHF diagnostics reference laboratory has been established at the UVRI in Entebbe.