Browsing by Author "Mdegela, R. H."

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    Anthrax outbreaks in the humans - livestock and wildlife interface areas of Northern Tanzania: A retrospective record review 2006–2016
    (BMC) Mwakapeje, E. R.; Høgset, S.; Fyumagwa, R.; Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Skjerve, E.
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    Anthrax outbreaks in the humans - livestock and wildlife interface areas of Northern Tanzania: A retrospective record review 2006–2016
    (BMC, 2018-02-15) Mwakapeje, E. R.; Høgset, S.; Fyumagwa, R.; Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Skjerve, E.
    Background: Anthrax outbreaks in Tanzania have been reported from the human, livestock and wildlife sectors over several years, and is among the notifiable diseases. Despite frequent anthrax outbreaks, there is no comprehensive dataset indicating the magnitude and distribution of the disease in susceptible species. This study is a retrospective review of anthrax outbreaks from the human, livestock, and wildlife surveillance systems from 2006 to 2016. The objectives were to identify hotspot districts, describe anthrax epidemiology in the hotspot areas, evaluate the efficiency of the anthrax response systems and identify potential areas for further observational studies. Methods: We prepared a spreadsheet template for a retrospective comprehensive record review at different surveillance levels in Tanzania. We captured data elements including demographic characteristics of different species, the name of health facility, and date of anthrax diagnosis. Also, we collected data on the date of specimen collection, species screened, type of laboratory test, laboratory results and the outcome recorded at the end of treatment in humans. After establishing the database, we produced maps in Quantum GIS software and transferred cleaned data to Stata software for supportive statistical analysis. Results: Anthrax reported incidences over 4 years in humans were much higher in the Arusha region (7.88/100,000) followed by Kilimanjaro region (6.64/100,000) than other regions of Tanzania Mainland. The health facility based review from hotspot districts in parts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions from 2006 to 2016, identified 330 human anthrax cases from the selected health facilities in the two regions. Out of 161 livestock and 57 wildlife specimen tested, 103 and 18 respectively, were positive for anthrax. Conclusion: This study revealed that there is gross under-reporting in the existing surveillance systems which is an obstacle for estimating a true burden of anthrax in the hotspot districts. Repeated occurrences of anthrax in livestock, wildlife and humans in the same locations at the same time calls for the need to strengthen links and promote inter–disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance prevention and control measures under a One Health approach.
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    Antiviral activity of crude extracts of Synadenium glaucescens (Pax) against infectious bursal disease and fowlpox virus
    (2013-04-10) Mabiki, F. P.; Mdegela, R. H.; Mosha, R. D.; Magadula, J. J.
    The effect of crude extracts from different morphological parts of Synadenium glaucescens against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and fowlpox (FP) virus using an in ovo assay were investigated. Viable 9 days embryonated chicken eggs were challenged with viral strains then treated with S. glaucescens extracts at concentration of 0.2 mg/ml. Un-inoculated group were saved as negative control and groups inoculated with virus and diluent saved as positive controls. The treatments were observed daily and embryo weights were measured 5 days post-inoculation. Embryo survival and mean embryo weight were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.001) in groups treated with S. glaucescens extracts than the positive control. More than 50% of the extract prevented death and deformation of embryo and formation of pock lesions in embryos. Furthermore, the treatments with ethanolic extract of the root bark demonstrated significantly higher mean embryo weight compared to other extract for both viruses (P ≤ 0.001). The mean embryo weights from eggs challenged with infectious bursal disease virus and fowlpox virus treated with the extract were 6.3 ± 2 and 5.9 ± 0.5 g, respectively. These findings demonstrate potential and feasibility of using S. glaucescens extracts for treatment of the viral diseases. Furthermore, it validates the ethnoveterinary exploitation at community level.
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    Assessment of Antimicrobial Usage and Residues in Commercial Chicken Eggs from Smallholder Poultry Keepers in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
    (2009) Nonga, H. E.; Simon, C.; Karimuribo, E. D.; Mdegela, R. H.
    Occurrence of antimicrobial residues in commercial chicken eggs was determined in Morogoro municipality between January and February 2007. Twenty smallholder farmers were interviewed on the types of antimicrobials, reasons of use and their awareness on antimicrobial withdrawal period. Seventy egg samples were collected for qualitative antimicrobial drug residues analysis by use of agar well diffusion and Delvotest SP assays. It was found that farmers use antimicrobial drugs as prophylaxis and treatment of common chicken diseases namely fowl typhoid (85%), infectious bursa disease (Gumboro) (65%) infectious coryza (65%), collibacilosis (55%), coccidiosis (54%), Newcastle disease (50%), helminthosis (20%) and fowl pox (15%). Antimicrobials accounted for 85% of the drugs commonly used. It was also found that 65% of the farmers treat their chicken themselves. The common drugs were oxytetracycline (75%), egg booster (50%), amprolium (35%), sulphamethoxypyridazine (35%), sulphanilamide (25%), chlortetracyclines (10%), chloramphenicol (10%), sulphadiazine– trimethoprim (20%), duoxycycline (20%), sulphadiazine (25%) and flumequine (10%). Eighty per cent of the farmers had knowledge on antimicrobial withdrawal period sold eggs before withdrawal period and almost 85% were unaware of possible effects of antimicrobial residues in humans. All 70 eggs were positive to antimicrobial residues by Delvotest kit, but 21.4% positive with agar well diffusion test. It was concluded that the presence of antimicrobial residues in table eggs could be of public health significance to the egg consumers in Morogoro municipality.
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    Assessment of beef microbial contamination at abattoir and retail meat shops in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
    (African Journal Online) Ntanga, P. D.; Mdegela, R. H.; Nonga, H. E.
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    Assessment of beef microbial contamination at abattoir and retail meat shops in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
    (African Journal Online, 2014-11-19) Ntanga, P. D.; Mdegela, R. H.; Nonga, H. E.
    A cross section study was conducted in Morogoro Municipality to assess microbial contamination in beef production chain from abattoir to retail meat shops during February to May, 2012. Questionnaire on abattoir and meat shop hygiene was administered to 60 respondents. Meat, meat in-contact surface swab and water samples at the abattoir (n=36) and 14 meat shops (n=56) were analyzed for Total Viable Counts (TVC), Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Total Faecal Coliform Counts (TFC). It was found that the respondents had not attended to any training on meat hygiene, had no protective gears and do not perform regular health examination. The infrastructure appeared obsolete. Carcasses and meat handling environment at abattoir and retail meat shops were in unhygienic condition. Water was scarce in the abattoir and meat shops. Water analysis showed heavy microbial contamination (mean TVC log 5.2±0.3). All the meat and meat in-contact surfaces were at different levels of microbial contamination and were beyond FAO recommendations. The mean TVC in meat was Log 7.2±1 cfu/g with the highest count (Log 7.24±1.3 cfu/g) recorded in samples from meat shops. The mean TVC on meat in-contact surfaces was Log 6±1.3 cfu/cm2 while mean TCC and TFC in meat were Log 6.1±1.6 and 5.9±1.7 cfu/g respectively. High microbiological loads in meat indicate gross contaminations along the whole meat value chain and pose potential risks for public health. Results obtained in this study provide information to the local government authorities and all stakeholders in the meat industry for proper management of the abattoir, retail meat shops and personnel; outlines key aspects for interventions and suggests future developments to prevent health risks associated with handling and consumption of contaminated meat.
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    Assessment of farming practices and uses of agrochemicals in Lake Manyara basin, Tanzania
    Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Lie, E.; Sandvik, M.; Skaare, J. J.
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    Assessment of farming practices and uses of agrochemicals in Lake Manyara basin, Tanzania
    (2011-05-18) Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Lie, E.; Sandvik, M.; Skaare, J. J.
    This study was conducted to assess farming practices, agrochemical usage and environmental pollution in Manyara basin, Tanzania. Field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and Lake Manyara nutrient analysis were used in data collection. The highest number (95%) of households grew crops, namely, maize, rice, banana and vegetables with median farm size of 3 ha. Irrigated farming was common (75%) which enhanced cultivation on same piece of land up to 6 times a year. Farmers indiscriminately used pesticides, namely, insecticides (50%), fungicides (37.5%) and herbicides (12.5%). Uses of endosulfan in vegetable farms poses public health threats to consumers. Most respondents (85%) applied insecticides in vegetables up to 4 times per cropping season. Excessive use of pesticides and haphazard disposal of pesticide remnants and containers caused environmental pollution. The average amount of acaricides used was 1109±915 ml (mean ± SD) per livestock keeper per month per. Most farmers (78%) used inorganic fertilizers and animal manure (43.4%). Low levels of ammonium (3.6±3.1 μg/L), nitrate (1±0.8μg/L) and phosphate (36.1±42 μg/L) were recorded in the lake. Easy access to agrochemicals, limited knowledge of pesticide on environmental health and limited extension services were factors for indiscriminate uses of agrochemicals. Increasing farmers awareness and training aimed at sustainable agriculture, agrochemical uses and integrated pest management is suggested.
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    Assessment of raw cow milk quality in smallholder dairy farms in Pemba Island Zanzibar, Tanzania
    (Hindawi) Gwandu, S. H.; Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Katakweba, A. S.; Suleiman, T. S.; Ryoba, R.
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    Assessment of raw cow milk quality in smallholder dairy farms in Pemba Island Zanzibar, Tanzania
    (Hindawi, 2018-03-12) Gwandu, S. H.; Nonga, H. E.; Mdegela, R. H.; Katakweba, A. S.; Suleiman, T. S.; Ryoba, R.
    Milk quality depends on the physicochemical characteristics, hygienic standards, and nutritional quality; however, animal husbandry practices, unhygienic harvesting and processing, may affect its quality. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2010 and July 2011 to assess the hygiene of cow milk production environment, raw cow milk physicochemical characteristics, and microbial quality and estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial residues using standard methods in Pemba Island. A total of 98 raw cow milk samples from selected smallholder dairy farms were analyzed, and the judgement on the quality used the East African Standards. Generally, the milk production chain was done under the unhygienic condition, and dirty plastic containers were used for collection and storage of milk under room temperature. Some milk samples had abnormal colour (2.1%), abnormal smell (7.1%), and pH below normal (35.7%), clotted on alcohol test (9.2%), and had the specific gravity below normal (13.3%). All the milk samples had mineral contents within the recommended range. Milk samples with butterfat below normal were 29.6%, while 14.3% had total solids below recommended values. The mean total viable count (TVC) of milk container surfaces was  log CFU/100 cm2, while total coliform count (TCC) was  log CFU/100 cm2. Up to 55.1% of milk had TVC beyond the recommended levels. The milk mean TVC was  log CFU/ml and TCC was  log CFU/ml. Up to 26.5% of milk samples had the TCC beyond levels. Results on physicochemical characteristics and nutritional analysis show that the raw cow milk in Pemba Island is of inferior quality. Microbiological results of this study imply heavy contaminations of milk. Antimicrobial residues were detected in 83% of the samples and most of them were from Wete District. Unhygienic milk production chain accelerates microbial contaminations, and antimicrobial residues in milk are a big problem that needs urgent attention from the responsible authority.
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    Association of long-term pesticide exposure and biologic parameters in female farm workers in Tanzania: A cross sectional study
    (Toxics) Manyilizu, W. B.; Mdegela, R. H.; Kazwala, R. R.; Nonga, H. E.; Müller, M. B.; Lie, E.; Skjerve, E.; Lyche, J. L.
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    Association of long-term pesticide exposure and biologic parameters in female farm workers in Tanzania: A cross sectional study
    (Toxics, 2016-09-29) Manyilizu, W. B.; Mdegela, R. H.; Kazwala, R. R.; Nonga, H. E.; Müller, M. B.; Lie, E.; Skjerve, E.; Lyche, J. L.
    The study aimed to assess the association of long-term pesticide exposure (5 years) with hematological, serum biochemical parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity in farm workers. These pesticides included organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates, pyrethroids, dithiocarbamates, and other pesticides such as endosulfan. Applying a cross-sectional study design, 69 females from a pesticide-exposed farm population and 30 females from a district not using pesticides (reference group) were studied. The mean red cell corpuscular volume and hematocrit values were significantly lower (74.7 9.1 fl; 95% CI 72.5–76.9 and 32.0% 4.6%; 95% CI 30.9–33.1, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and platelets were significantly higher (37.4 3.8 g/dL; 95% CI 36.5–38.3 and 374.1 95.3/L; 95% CI 351.2–396.9, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group. Mean serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (20.7 8.9 U/L; 95% CI 18.5–22.9) and creatinine (83.9 6.6 mol/L; 95% CI 82.3–85.5) were significantly higher in the exposed compared to the reference group. A higher mean esterase activity (AChE 0.6 0.2 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.56–0.7; BChE 0.9 0.4 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.9–1.1) was noted in the exposed group. Regression models suggest that occupational exposure (p < 0.001) could be a predictor of esterase (AChE and BChE) activity and biochemical changes (= 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.5; = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6–0.9, respectively). Long-term pesticide exposure affects the hemato-biochemical and esterase responses, establishing the need for further studies.
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    Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in breast milk and associated health risks to nursing infants in Northern Tanzania
    (Elsevier) Müller, M. B.; Polder, A.; Brynildsrud, O. B.; Lie, E.; Løken, K. B.; Manyilizu, W. B.; Mdegela, R. H.; Mokiti, F.; Murtadha, M.; Nonga, H. E.; Skaare, J. U.; Lyche, J. L.
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    Case report: Suspected Piscine Chlamydia like infection in Tanzania
    (Tanzania Veterinary Journal) Matondo, A. B.; Mtalika, M. I.; Mdegela, R. H.
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    Case report: Suspected Piscine Chlamydia like infection in Tanzania
    (Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2019) Matondo, A. B.; Mtalika, M. I.; Mdegela, R. H.
    Ten moribund fish were received at pathology laboratory to establish the cause of sponteneous mortalities of farmed tilapia recorded in Kilosa District, Morogoro region. Post-mortem examination revealed macroscopic mucous bands connecting gills and operculum; and oval to round grey-white cysts on the gill lamella. Gill samples were collected for microscopic and bacteriological investigation. Histopathological investigation revealed gill epithelial hyperplasia and characteristic enlargement of epithelial cells infected with pale and basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. The gross pathological changes coupled with histopathological findings recorded in this case are typical features of epitheliocystis. Furthermore, fish mortalities ceased in the farm after water replacement and reconnection of all fish ponds with direct supply of fresh water from the source. This is the first report in Tanzania describing characteristic epitheliocystis lesions. Furthermore, this report re-affirm previous findings that epitheliocystis can be managed through routine management of water quality.
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    Characterization of Salmonella spp. from wastewater used for food production in Morogoro, Tanzania
    (Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht) Mdegela, R. H.; Kusiluka, L. J. M.; Forslund, A.; Dalsgaard, A.