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Filoviral haemorrhagic fevers: A threat to Zambia?
2012
Katendi Changula | A.S. Mweene
Filoviral haemorrhagic fevers (FVHF) are caused by agents belonging to Filoviridae family, Ebola and Marburg viruses. They are amongst the most lethal pathogens known to infect humans. Incidence of FVHF outbreaks are increasing, with affected number of patients on the rise. Whilst there has been no report yet of FVHF in Zambia, its proximity to Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo, which have recorded major outbreaks, as well as the open borders, increased trade and annual migration of bats between these countries, puts Zambia at present and increased risk. Previous studies have indicated bats as potential reservoir hosts for filoviruses. An increasing population with an increasing demand for resources has forced incursion into previously uninhabited land, potentially bringing them into contact with unknown pathogens, reservoir hosts and/or amplifying hosts. The recent discovery of a novel arenavirus, Lujo, highlights the potential that every region, including Zambia, has for being the epicentre or primary focus for emerging and re-emerging infections. It is therefore imperative that surveillance for potential emerging infections, such as viral haemorrhagic fevers be instituted. In order to accomplish this surveillance, rapid detection, identification and monitoring of agents in patients and potential reservoirs is needed. International co-operation is the strategy of choice for the surveillance and fight against emerging infections. Due to the extensive area in which filoviral infections can occur, a regional approach to surveillance activities is required, with regional referral centres. There is a need to adopt shared policies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. There is also need for optimisation of currently available tests and development of new diagnostic tests, in order to have robust, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests that can be used even where there are inadequate laboratories and diagnostic services.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in pigs in Lusaka, Zambia
2012
Joyce Siwila | Kabemba E. Mwape
This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in pigs which were being raised in intensive management systems. Faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age groups from three different piggery units. Samples were collected directly from the rectum for piglets and weaners and from the floor within 2 min – 5 min of excretion for sows and boars. At the time of collection, faecal consistency was noted as being normal, pasty or diarrhoeic. Samples were analysed further using the Merifluor® <em>Cryptosporidium</em>/<em>Giardia</em> immunofluorescence assay. All piggeries had at least one pig infected with either parasite. From a total 217 samples collected, 96 (44.2%; confidence interval [CI] = 37.6% – 50.9%) were positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., whilst 26 (12%; CI = 7.6% – 16.3%) had <em>G. duodenalis</em> parasites. Of all the pigs, 6.9% (15/217) harboured both parasites. With regard to <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. infection, statistically significant differences were observed amongst the three units (<em>p</em> = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.13). Prevalence was higher in weaners as compared to other pig classes for both parasites, with significant differences being observed for <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection (<em>p</em> = 0.013). There was, however, no difference in infection between male and female pigs for both parasites. Furthermore, most infections were asymptomatic. From the study results it was clear that <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>G. duodenalis</em> infections were prevalent amongst pigs in the piggeries evaluated and, as such, may act as a source of infection for persons who come into contact with them.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Clarification of the status of Rhipicephalus kochi Donitz, 1905 (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)
1983
Clifford, C.M. | Walker, J.B. | Keirans, J.E.
Rhipicephalus kochi, synonymy, description of female, male, nymph, and larva, scanning electron microscopy, brief report of laboratory life cycle study, review of host records and zoogeography in Africa, differentiation from R. pravus, R. punctatus, and R. appendiculatus
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Preliminary efficacy trial of cymelarsan in mice artificially infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei isolated from a dog in Zambia
1995
Syakalima, M. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan)) | Yasuda, J. | Hashimoto, A.
An efficacy trial of Cymelarsan (R) on a Zambian strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei was done. Twenty-five male mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10(6) of T. b. brucei isolated from a dog. Five groups of 5 mice were treated with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg cymelarsan, respectively. The target was to achieve aparasitaemia for 30 days post-treatment, euthanising those that remained parasitaemic or relapsed before then. The 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg groups remained parasitaemic although the parasitaemic levels were reduced. The 1.0 mg/kg group had a proportion of aparasitaemic mice. However, all mice in the 2.0 mg/kg group remained aparasitaemic until day 20 when 2 mice relapsed. These results suggested that more than 2.0 mg/kg was required to eliminate this strain
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Disease constraints for utilization of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) on game ranches in Zambia
2006
Munag'andu, H.M.(University of Zambia, Lusaka) | Siamudaala, V.M. | Nambota, A. | Bwalya, J.M. | Munyeme, M. | Mweene, A.S. | Takada, A. | Kida, H.
Eco-tourism depending on wildlife is becoming increasingly profitable and landowners are beginning to favor game farming and ecotourism. In these areas, large-scale translocation of wildlife involves a diversity of species and large populations. The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is one of the major tourist attractions in Zambia. It accounts for 8.7% and 12.4% of the total animal species hunted in the Game Management Areas and the total hunting revenue earned in Zambia, respectively. It is ecologically an important animal species essential for the purpose of habitat control and facilitating the provision of suitable grazing pastures. However, the rearing of the African buffalo on game ranches has been hampered by its carrier state of the Southern Africa Terroritory (SAT) serotypes of foot and mouth disease virus (FMD). The African buffalo is also known to be a carrier of Theileria parva lawrencei, the causative agent of corridor disease (CD) that continues to have devastating effects on the livestock industry in Zambia. In addition, the importation of buffaloes from countries with populations endemic to bovine tuberculosis is highly restricted. Veterinary regulations in Zambia, strongly advocate against the translocation of buffaloes from protected areas to private ranches for disease control purposes thereby mounting a considerable constraint on the economic and ecological viability of the industry. It is hoped that this review will motivate the relevant government authorities in exploiting ways in which this animal species play a central role in eco-tourism.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Ecology and epidemiology of anthrax in cattle and humans in Zambia
2006
Siamudaala, V.M.(Zambia Wildlife Authority, Chilanga) | Bwalya, J.M. | Munag'andu, H.M. | Sinyangwe, P.G. | Banda, F. | Mweene, A.S. | Takada, A. | Kida, H.
Anthrax is endemic in Western and North-western Provinces of Zambia. The disease occurs throughout the year and impacts negatively on the economy of the livestock industry and public health in Zambia. During 1989-1995, there were 1,626 suspected cases of anthrax in cattle in Western province and of these 51 were confirmed. There were 220 cases of human anthrax cases in 1990 alone and 248 cases during 1991-1998 with 19.1% and 7.7% case fatality rates, respectively. Interplay of the ecology of affected areas and anthropogenic factors seem to trigger anthrax epidemics. Anthrax has drawn considerable attention in recent years due to its potential use as a biological weapon. In this paper, the history, current status and approaches towards the control of the disease in Zambia are discussed. Quarantine measures restrict trade of livestock and exchange of animals for draught power resulting in poor food security at household levels. Challenges of anthrax control are complex and comprise of socio-political, economical, environmental and cultural factors. Inadequate funding, lack of innovative disease control strategies and lack of cooperation from stakeholders are the major constraints to the control of the disease.
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Evidence for bovine immunodeficiency virus infection in cattle in Zambia
2004
Meas, S. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan)) | Nakayama, M. | Usui, T. | Nakazato, Y. | Yasuda, J. | Ohashi, K. | Onuma, M.
African swine fever in Zambia: Potential financial and production consequences for the commercial sector
1996
Samui, K.L. (University of Zambia, Lusaka) | Nambota, A.M. | Nweene, A.S. | Onuma, M.
Viral diseases of livestock in Zambia
1996
Mweene, A.S. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan)) | Pandey, G.S. | Sinyangwe, P. | Nambota, A.M. | Samui, K.L. | Kida, H.
Theileriosis in Zambia: Etiology, epidemiology and control measures
1994
Nambota, A. (University of Zambia, Lusaka) | Samui, K. | Sugimoto, C. | Kakuta, T. | Onuma, M.