Browsing by Author "Makondo, Z."

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    Ecological and Epidemiological Findings Associated with Zoonotic Rabies Outbreaks and Control in Moshi, Tanzania, 2017–2018
    (International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019-08-07) Killewo, Japhet; Mtui-Malamsha, N.; Sallu, R.; Mahiti, G. R.; Mohamed, H.; OleNeselle, M.; Rubegwa, B.; Swai, E. S.; Makungu, S.; Otieno, E. G.; Lupindu, A. M.; Komba, E.; Mdegela, R.; Assenga, J. A.; Bernard, J.; Marandu, W.; Warioba, J.; Makondo, Z.; Chang'a, J.; Mramba, F.; Hezron, N.; Killewo, J.; Kafeero, F.; Makonnen, Y. J.; Rivas, A. L.; Fasina, F. O.
    Approximately 1500 people die annually due to rabies in the United Republic of Tanzania. Moshi, in the Kilimanjaro Region, reported sporadic cases of human rabies between 2017 and 2018. In response and following a One Health approach, we implemented surveillance, monitoring, as well as a mass vaccinations of domestic pets concurrently in >150 villages, achieving a 74.5% vaccination coverage (n = 29, 885 dogs and cats) by September 2018. As of April 2019, no single human or animal case has been recorded. We have observed a disparity between awareness and knowledge levels of community members on rabies epidemiology. Self-adherence to protective rabies vaccination in animals was poor due to the challenges of costs and distances to vaccination centers, among others. Incidence of dog bites was high and only a fraction (65%) of dog bite victims (humans) received post-exposure prophylaxis. A high proportion of unvaccinated dogs and cats and the relative intense interactions with wild dog species at interfaces were the risk factors for seropositivity to rabies virus infection in dogs. A percentage of the previously vaccinated dogs remained unimmunized and some unvaccinated dogs were seropositive. Evidence of community engagement and multi-coordinated implementation of One Health in Moshi serves as an example of best practice in tackling zoonotic diseases using multi-level government e orts. The district-level establishment of the One Health rapid response team (OHRRT), implementation of a carefully structured routine vaccination campaign, improved health education, and the implementation of barriers between domestic animals and wildlife at the interfaces are necessary to reduce the burden of rabies in Moshi and communities with similar profiles.
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    Molecular epidemiology of Theileria parva in Eastern Zone of Tanzania.
    (Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2015-06-02) Rukambile, E.; Mbassa, G.; Luziga, C.; Mwajibage, L..; Magwisha, H.; Mamiro, K.; Makondo, Z.
    Theileria parva is a haemoprotozoan parasite that causes fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle, East Coast fever (ECF), transmitted by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus tick. There are many stocks of T. parva differing in various features. Immunity elicited by immunization is stock specific and therefore, it is appropriate to characterize T. parva to find most relevant stocks for inclusion in the vaccine. This study determined molecular epidemiology of T. parva parasite in Eastern Zone of Tanzania by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semi-nested PCR to amplify antigenic genes coding for sporozoite surface protein (p67) and piroplasm proteins (p104) respectively using DNA extracted from cattle blood samples naturally infected with T. parva. Restriction fragments length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles of p104 were generated by Arthrobacter luteus I (Alu I) restriction enzyme. Results demonstrated two types of p67 bands, 750 bp and 950 bp. Profiles for p104 PCR-RFLP revealed 5 types of stocks; the first and the second stocks produced PCR-RFLP profiles identical to T. parva Katete and T. parva Muguga. The p104 PCR-RFLP profiles of the rest three stocks were distinct novel variant stocks never reported in previous studies. The significance of the different p67 alleles and the novel variants stocks detected by p104 PCR-RFLP in the epidemiology of theileriosis in Eastern Zone of Tanzania and the key aspects for vaccine developement is discussed.