Inter-epidemic abundance and distribution of potential mosquito vectors for Rift Valley fever virus in Ngorongoro district, Tanzania.

Background: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis that primarily affects ruminants but also has the capacity to infect humans.

Objective: To determine the abundance and distribution of mosquito vectors in relation to their potential role in the virus transmission and maintenance in disease epidemic areas of Ngorongoro district in northern Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional entomological investigation was carried out before the suspected RVF outbreak in October 2012.

Epidemiological investigation into the introduction and factors for spread of Peste des Petits Ruminants, southern Tanzania.

A study was carried out to confirm and identify sources and elucidate factors associated with the introduction of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in southern Tanzania. This study was conducted in Tandahimba and Newala districts of Mtwara region following suspected outbreak of PPR in the area. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews of key informants who included goat and sheep owners with suspected cases of PPR and animal health service providers as well as local administrative authority.

Sleeping sickness--a re-emerging disease in the Serengeti?

Sleeping sickness is a re-emerging disease in the Serengeti ecosystem affecting both local people and tourists. Here we report the results of a survey to assess the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in both domestic and wild animals from this area. Five hundred and eighteen cattle samples were collected from 12 villages that bordered the Serengeti National Park and 220 samples from 15 different wild animal species were collected from within the park.