Publications by authors named "Frank Banda"
The recent introduction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus serotype O (O/EA-2 topotype) in Southern Africa has changed the epidemiology of the disease and vaccine requirements of the region. Commercial and subsistence cattle herds in Zambia were vaccinated with an FMD virus serotype O Manisa vaccine according to a double- or single-dose vaccination schedule. Heterologous antibody responses induced by this vaccine against a representative O/EA-2 virus from Zambia were determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe first detection of a serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus in Namibia.
Transbound Emerg Dis
September 2022
This report describes the molecular characterization of a serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) recovered from a field outbreak in the Zambezi region, Namibia during July 2021. Sequence analysis demonstrates that this FMDV belongs to the O/EA-2 topotype sharing closest nucleotide identity (99.5%) to FMD viruses collected since 2018 in Zambia.
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- * A study analyzed samples from FMD outbreaks in Zambia from 2015 to 2020, identifying various serotypes and notable changes in the virus's epidemiology, including the introduction of new viral strains in multiple provinces.
- * The findings reveal eight distinct FMD outbreaks, some occurring outside traditionally high-risk areas, emphasizing the need for updated vaccine strategies to effectively manage FMD threats in the region.
Sporadic literature reports describe isolates of pathogenic bacteria that harbor an antibiotic resistance determinant but remain susceptible to the corresponding antibiotic as a consequence of a genetic defect. Such strains represent a source from which antibiotic resistance may reemerge to cause treatment failure in patients. Here, we report a systematic investigation into the prevalence and nature of this phenomenon, which we term ilencing of ntibiotic esistance by utation (SARM).
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- African swine fever (ASF) is a serious disease affecting pigs and causing major economic impacts in Africa, recently causing outbreaks in Zambia.
- In 2017, outbreaks were reported in several districts, with genetic analysis showing that the ASF virus from Mbala was very similar to a well-known strain from Georgia, while the virus from Chipata had notable genetic differences.
- These findings indicate that the ASF virus may be more genetically diverse than previously understood, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring in southeastern Africa to track ASF trends and origins.
Article Synopsis
- Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals, prevalent in Zambia with regular outbreaks in different areas.
- A study collected 60 samples from cattle in two districts, Mbala and Kazungula, finding that 36.7% were positive for the FMD virus, identifying serotypes SAT 1 and SAT 2 in the respective regions.
- The study suggests that interactions between wild buffalo and local livestock, as well as uncontrolled animal movement across borders, may contribute to the outbreak patterns in these districts, highlighting the need for further research to develop effective control strategies.