• Overall development objective to contribute to alleviation of food insecurity and poverty by increasing animal productivity and public health

• Overall academic objective is to contribute to the increased capacity building in the field of veterinary medicine, animal nutrition and human parasitology.

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER LOCAL PROJECT LEADER

Prof Dr Jozef Vercruysse, Ghent University, Belgium

Dr. Feyesa Regassa, Jimma University, Ethiopia

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS OTHER TEAM MEMBERS

Prof Dr Peter Van den Bossche, ITM Prof Dr Sarne De Vlieger, UGent Prof Dr Geert Janssens, UGent Prof Dr Pierre Dorny, UGent Prof. Dr. Bruno Goddeeris, KULDr. Filip Claes, KUL en ITM

Takele SoriMoti YohannesAseffa Wakwoya†Abebaw GashawWorku TigreBalako GumiGinbar TeferaTadele TolosaHailu DegefuZelalem NigussieDinka AyanaMulugeta TeferaBelay DugumaYisaek KecheroTaye TolemariamMeseret MollaSolomon Demeke

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

• The epidemiology and control of helminth infections

• The epidemiology and control of trypanosomosis

• The importance and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases

• The epidemiology and control of mastitis

• Nutritive value of locally available feeds for livestock

Research topics

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

New collaborative approach• To adapt better to the local capacity and capability of

the Veterinary School e.g. experience in research, laboratory techniques, organisational expertise (samplings etc), availability of laboratory equipment

• To improve collaboration between researchers and research groups and increase the number of scientists involved in the project

• To exploit research opportunities relevant to the region and the whole country including urbanisation, increased demand for milk and milk products and encroachment of livestock into fertile tsetse-infested areas

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

3 research themes

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic component

Objectives– To understand the importance and epidemiology of zoonotic

diseases, in particular taeniasis/cysticercosis and echinococcosis/hydatidosis

Activities first working year– Abattoir-based study on Taenia saginata and Echinococcus

granulosus in cattle between Oct 2007 -Mar 2008– Training of Ethiopian topic leader at ITMA in serological techniques

Results– 512 carcasses inspected, samples taken for parasitological and

serological examination– 15 (2.93%) infected with T. saginata metacestodes, and 161

(31.44%) with hydatid cysts

Future work– Continue work on Echinococcosis: genotyping, zoonotic importance,

prevalence in dogs

Objectives1) To determine the bacterial flora involved in mastitis2) To determine the clinical importante of mastitis in the Jimma zone3) To assess the quality and usage of the available mastitis treatment 4) To suggest contol measures for mastitis

ActivitiesActivity 3.1: Specific areas where the surveys will be conducted will be identified Activity 3.2: The prevalence of mastitis and bacteria involved will be studied Activity 3.3: The currently applied mastitis prevention measures will be evaluatedActivity 3.4: Recommendations to control mastitis will be developped

Urban component: Mastitis

Rural component: Helminth diseases

Objectives– To understand the basic epidemiology of helminth infections in

cattle in the Jimma zone

Activities– Training of topic leader at UGent on basic parasitological

techniques– Visits to villages to identify where longitudinal studies could be

initiated to determine prevalence and seasonal variations of helminth infections

Results– Study areas around Jimma identified– Faecal samples collected and examined: 47% of animals infected

with gastro-intestinal parasites and/or liver fluke

Future work– Longitudinal studies in selected areas– Study importance of parasitic infections in rural and urban areas

Objectives1. To collect baseline data on the prevalence and impact of trypanosomal infections in livestock in the various study sites with different trypanosomosis control history 2. To isolate trypanosome strains from cattle in the various study sites in the Jimma region and determine their level of resistance (trypanocidal drug reference centre)3. To conduct a questionnaire survey to evaluate the ongoing trypanocidal drug use practices in the various study sites in the Jimma region4. Develop appropriate trypanosomosis control strategies

Activities Activity 2.1. Collect baseline data Activity 2.2. Identify study sites (3), based on epidemiological settingActivity 2.3. Determine prevalence and impact of trypanosomal infections Activity 2.4. Isolate trypanosome strains from cattle and determine susceptiblity Activity 2.5. Conduct drug use survey Activity 2.6. Analyse survey data and develop control strategies

Animal and Zoonotic diseases

Rural component: Livestock trypanosomiasis

Project 1: Zoonotic and Animal DiseasesAnimal Nutrition Team

IUC-JU North meeting, Oct. 8, 2008

Belay DUGUMAYisehak KECHEROGeert JANSSENS

Main topics

• Rural component: Development of sustainable livestock feeding around the Gilgel Gibe dam

• Urban component:Optimising urban dairy cow nutrition

Livestock feeding around the dam• Local perception of problems and identification of

bottlenecks in view of seasonality– Questionnaire: 330 household in 5 distinct regions

• Bio-mass estimations of feed resources• Determination of nutritional value of feed resources

– Chemical analysis– Digestibility tests with local breeds

• Evaluating in-the-field indicators of herd nutritional status– Faecal nitrogen fractions– Micromineral ratios– Saponins

• Adjust the identified first limiting nutrients– Optimise existing rations through formulation– Promote production of specific crops that adjust nutrient deficiencies

in a sustainable way regarding ecology and economy (to be further developed by multidisciplinary approach increase cooperation with other teams)

Optimising urban dairy nutrition• Identify most important deficiencies

- Questionnaire on feeding practices and animal performance- Analyse total rations for nutritional value and compare with nutrient

requirements• Identify practical means to adjust deficiencies

– Optimise use of by-products– Introduce new feed resources– Ration formulation

• Improve rations to increase milk production and disease resistance– Measure milk production and its main composition– Measure inflammatory and mastitis parameters

• Improve rations to increase nutritional quality of the milk (for infants increase collaboration with Project 2)– Microminerals (Zn, Cu, Se, …)– Fatty acid profile

ProblemsA major overall problem is the purchase of equipment. After one year the material ordered in Belgium has not yet arrived in Jimma. Limited laboratory capabilityCurrent research is mainly person-oriented (PhD projects)Limited knowledge of the relevance of veterinary and zoonotic diseases and/or limited exploitation of available information (e.g. MSc and DVM theses)Current research focus is descriptive rather than analytical Irregular feed-back on research progressAvailability of transport for work in urban areasFor non-PhD students, the available time that can devoted to the research projects is limitedRecommendationsIt should be better explored what material can be purchased locally (Jimma & especially Addis AbabaTo increase the number of Belgian scientists/technicians supporting the establishment and activities of the laboratories at the Veterinary SchoolTo complete construction work at the Veterinary School so that a parasitological laboratory can be established in the new buildingEstablish team-oriented research approachMeta-analysis of available studies performed in the region and determine relevant research prioritiesTo establish a reporting format and schedule and organise an annual scientific (progress) meeting between Belgian and Ethiopian researchersTo purchase two motorbikes (locally) to support activities of the urban component of the projectThe Jimma University policy should allow non-registered students to devote time to the research projects of the Veterinary Project of the IUCTo organise a meeting between Belgian collaborators of the veterinary project and between Belgian scientists of the various IUC projects to brief on project activities and exchange ideas

Further discussion is necessary …