RATZOOMAN REPORT 25 TH APRIL 2005

Transcription

1 RATZOOMAN REPORT 25 TH APRIL 2005 Ratzooman project was continued in the Previously identified sites namely Mbare, Hatcliffe and Nkayi. Mbare site E S Hatcliffe site E, S Nkayi site E, S

2 obtain them in time for us to use them in preparation for this report was minimal. They are of course working on it and we hope to get their work done and complete in the next few weeks. We rely on them, there are the only organization who can do it for us they work together with Ministry of Health and WHO.

3 WORK PACKAGE 2 TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION OF RODENT SPECIES FOUND IN THE RURAL AND PERI- URBAN HABIT Rodent specimens collected from Mbare, Hatcliffe and Nkayi during the last two years were taxonomically identified using the expertise at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe,which is situated in Bulawayo and the second largest city of the country. Dr Chikwenhere and myself attended a course with the technical branch of the museum to increase our knowledge of Rodent species in Zimbabwe.Some of the species discussed were Alexander Rat Rattus rattus House mouse Mus Musculus These species were introduced with the settlers, Both are potential disease carriers. And can cause great damage in food storage. SADC figures indicate rats in the region in one year can eat enough grain to feed Zambia for twelve months. 23 various species are recorded and identified at the museum as living in Zimbabwe With reference to plague, the first recorded cases found in Zimbabwe, which was then Rhodesia, was in 1974 although numerous records of disease outbreaks, which Were probably unidentified plague were also recorded.

4 Rodents 200 samples for identification were shipped to Belgium, samples included organs i.e. liver lungs spleen heart and kidney. This consignment we understand arrived in good condition. Blood serum from the rodents was taken to S.A. By myself for further investigations by the S.A. team.

5 DOMESTIC ANIMALS Negotiations with the Government Vet Department to collect and test blood samples were not successful due to lack of Test kits in the laboratory,and their demand list was too long, we have been referred to the University of Zimbabwe vet Department for help. We.. plan to visit the SPCA, They collect stray animals.

6 WORK PACKAGE 4 RODENT ECOLOGY IN RURAL AND PER-URBAN AGRICULTURE Work continues at Hatcliffe, and the following data was collected and sent as promised in MARCH and APRIL

7 WORK PACKAGE 5 impact of environment factors, management and land use strategies upon zoonosis Rural agriculture Zimbabwe has undergone massive change In agricultural management of land with new rural farmers scattered throughout the country in small groups. Irrigation projects are on the increase, we feel this environment will increase rodent breeding in these areas in the future.

8 WORK PACKAGE 6 and 7

9 WORK PACKAGE 8 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS The following is the rainfall data for the three areas in the project Harare waterfalls west July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

10 WORK PACKAGE 11 POLICY ISSUES WHO AFRO HARARE ZIMBABWE Discussions were held with Dr Birknesh who is in charge of the rodent borne diseases department in sub Saharan are countries. She informed us that at this time, there was no system in place and that no countries were reporting leptosipirosis and Taxoplasma

11 POLICY ISSUES CONT- WHO are keen to have continue contact with us, on the Ratzooman project. FAO Contacted the regional veterinary officer for SADC region Dr Wolfgang Booehle Who had no information on any studies on plague or leptosipirosis,he advised us to contact FAO Global crop protection unit In Rome Italy. Again very interested in project and wishes to be on our list and will keep in touch with us

12 POLICY ISSUES CONT- ZAMBIA Ministry of Health is aware of an outbreak of plague in the Nemwala district of the southern province, However There is no government control policy as such, instead they have set out guidelines of what measures to take in the event of an outbreaks and include Use of available rodentcides Insecticides for flee control and antibiotics for treatment of cases.

13 POLICY ISSUES CONT- MALAWI Discussions were made with the Ministry of Health, who mentioned to us that there were more rats than people. There Was no policy but they know of a hot spot in the Shire valley near Mozambique border where plague has been found.

14 POLICY ISSUES CONT- BOTSWANA Policy is in place and they monitor hot spots and have chemicals and treatment available if needed ZIMBABWE Has a policy in place and chemicals to control rats and fleas also antibiotics for human treatments. Known hot spots are monitored for plague bacillus It is known that plague was first recorded in 1974 and Ministry of Health has kept records ever since

15 POLICY ISSUES cont- MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS Road and rail developmment,also new building sites are increasing the movement of rats. Plague's recognized in several areas in Madagascar and the MOH had a protocol for the control of rodents and had approached WHO for funding MAURITIUS Has a lot of sea traffic trading between the two islands and has a rodent control programme at the harbour as their worry about plague rats coming from Madagascar. HISTORY Early recorded outbreak of plague is in Samuel 1 in 320 BC, where mice infested the land and emerods or bubo's characteristics of the disease in its common form Bubonic plague The great plague of London

16 Policy issues cont- Killed over people and in Europe people The first reported deaths in Southern Africa took place in LM now Maputo in 1898 on a ship from Madagascar. IN 1900 a case of plague was reported in Durban on a passenger ship from India. In 1901 a very serious outbreak of plague occurred in cape town, 776 cases and 371 deaths. The source of the outbreak was traced to forage for the horses of the troops in the Boer war. This forage had had been imported from South America.