R. Marange

Last update: 1 September 2014

BVSc Title: A retrospective study on transmissible diseases between wildlife and domestic livestock in the wildlife/livestock interface areas of Hwange district.

Summary

 This retrospective study aimed to assess the presence, spatial and temporal distribution of wildlife –maintained and multi-species diseases at wildlife/domestic interface in Hwange district of Zimbabwe. The data were extracted from the monthly and annual reports of Hwange District Veterinary Offices and Veterinary Field Services for the period 1 January 1995 to 31 July 2007. Data was captured onto Microsoft Excel software as a Dbase relational database for editing and generation of descriptive statistics of disease cases. The number of disease cases was analyzed in relation to the animal species, temporal and spatial distributions and categorized according to wildlife maintained and multi-species diseases and the pathogenic agent involved. Spatial distribution was evaluated by comparing wildlife –maintained and multi- species disease cases between dip tanks within a radius of 20km from the Park and those greater than 20km regarded as far away from the Park. Association was evaluated by calculating the chi square test for association and the odds ratio (OR) at a confidence level of 95% using Ephi-Info Version 6.0. The temporal distribution was assessed in terms of seasonal and cyclic variations.From seasonal analysis, the year was divided into two successive 6-year periods (1995-2000) and (2001 and 2006).

Wildlife associated diseases reported in the study area included foot and mouth disease, malignant catarrhal fever, theileriosis, ehrlichiosis, brucellosis, anaplasmosis, rabies, lumpy skin disease, Rift Valley fever, dermatophilosis, anthrax, fowl typhoid and Newcastle disease. Results of the present study indicated an increased occurrence of wildlife-maintained and multi-species diseases between the successive 6-year periods 1995-2000 and 2001-2006.In addition ,dip tanks within a distance of 20km from the National Park reported a significantly higher number of cases of these diseases compared to those located more than 20 km from the Park. The most probable important factors related to the increased potential transmission of diseases at the interface could include transformation of former game ranches into domestic farming land during the land reform period, destruction of the fences, inadequate grazing, and watering resources particularly during the dry season.

Last update: 1 September 2014