Evaluation of plant-based coagulants for turbidity removal and coagulant dosage prediction using machine learning.

This study investigates the use of six plant-based coagulants - , , , , , and for the removal of turbidity from wastewater effluent. The coagulants were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine morphological structure, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to assess chemical composition, and X-ray diffraction to analyse the molecular structure. The coagulation process was evaluated using jar tests with varying coagulant dosages and pH levels.

Dog ecology and rabies knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the Northern Communal Areas of Namibia.

In 2021, a comprehensive dog demographic questionnaire combined with a KAP survey were conducted in the northern communal areas (NCAs) of Namibia with the aim of gaining a better understanding of dog populations, owner behaviour, and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to rabies. The survey of 3,726 households across the eight regions of the NCAs provided insights that will inform interventions in order to improve human rabies prevention and Namibia's dog rabies control strategy. The results showed a relatively low average human/dog ratio (HDR) of 5.

Investigation of water treatment sludge for the treatment of saline water: Batch studies.

In this study, water treatment sludge was investigated through batch modes for the treatment of saline water to meet livestock drinking consents. The water quality was assessed using water quality index (WQI).The kinetic data was best described by the Pseudo - Second - Order model and the equilibrium isotherm by the Freundlich model.

Investigation of clay brick waste for the removal of copper, nickel and iron from aqueous solution: batch and fixed - bed column studies.

The adsorption of copper, iron and nickel ions from an aqueous solution using Makoro granite clay brick waste through batch and fixed - bed column modes was investigated. The adsorbent was characterised using X-Ray Fluorescence, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). XRD results revealed crystalline peaks of Quartz (51.

Investigation of water treatment sludge from drinking water treated with Zetafloc 553I coagulant for phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Water treatment sludge have shown promising results as adsorbent for phosphorus and sulphate removal from real wastewater. The study was conducted through batch kinetics and equilibrium isotherm modes. The chemical composition reveal that aluminium compounds were dominant in the fresh sludge and aluminium phosphates were also observed in the used sludge.

Application of the GARC Data Logger-a custom-developed data collection device-to capture and monitor mass dog vaccination campaigns in Namibia.

Domestic dogs are responsible for 99% of all cases of human rabies and thus, mass dog vaccination has been demonstrated to be the most effective approach towards the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies. Namibia demonstrated the feasibility of this approach by applying government-led strategic rabies vaccination campaigns to reduce both human and dog rabies incidences in the Northern Communal Areas of Namibia since 2016. The lessons learnt using paper-based form for data capturing and management of mass dog vaccination campaign during the pilot and roll out phase of the project (2016-2018) led to the implementation of a simple and accurate data collection tool in the second phase (2019-2022) of the rabies elimination program.

Accumulation of heavy metals and bacteriological indicators in spinach irrigated with further treated secondary wastewater.

Shortage of water for agriculture has resulted in the need to explore the use of wastewater for irrigation, however this can pose a health problem to the people emanating from the produced food as a result of the accumulation of pollutants. The purpose of this research was to investigate the accumulation of some heavy metals and bacteriological indicators in the different parts of spinach vegetable irrigated with secondary wastewater effluent treated through a pilot filtration system. There was a variation of heavy metals accumulation in the roots, stem and leafy parts of the vegetable.

Phosphorus removal from secondary wastewater effluent using copper smelter slag.

This study investigated the use of copper smelter slag for the removal of phosphorus from secondary wastewater effluent through batch tests. The media was physically and chemically characterized and showed presence of FeO (45.22%), SiO (14.

Fighting Dog-Mediated Rabies in Namibia-Implementation of a Rabies Elimination Program in the Northern Communal Areas.

The major part of the global burden of dog-mediated rabies falls on Africa and Asia, where still an estimated 60,000 people die of the disease annually. Like in many African countries, dog-mediated rabies is a major public health concern in Namibia, costing the country an estimated 242 human deaths during the past two decades, in particular in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs). Consequently, under the "One Health" concept, the Namibian government adopted a National Rabies Control Strategy in 2015, which strives to contribute to the global goal of ending dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

Ecology and epidemiology of rabies in humans, domestic animals and wildlife in Namibia, 2011-2017.

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that causes a heavy burden on societies. Namibia, a country in southern Africa, is aiming at controlling the disease in its main reservoir, the domestic dog. To facilitate the implementation comprehensive information on the ecology and epidemiology of the disease and surveillance is of utmost importance.

Assessment of roughing and slow sand filter modified with slag and clinker ash for removal of microorganisms from secondary effluent.

Slow sand filtration has been used for decades for the removal of pathogens from water. A combination of roughing and slow sand filters has been evaluated for the removal of pathogen indicators from secondary effluent. The filter system was modified with the addition of slag and coal clinker ash.

A retrospective longitudinal study of animal and human rabies in Botswana 1989-2006.

A longitudinal study of animal and human rabies covering 18 years from 1989 to 2006 was retrospectively conducted in order to highlight the epidemiological features and trends of the disease in Botswana. Over the 18-year period, a total of 4 306 brain specimens collected from various species of animals including human beings with clinical signs consistent with rabies were submitted to the National Veterinary Laboratory in Gaborone for confirmatory diagnosis. Of the samples submitted, 2419 cases were found to be positive for lyssavirus antigen; this presents an overall prevalence rate of 56.

A serological survey for antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus in indigenous Tswana goats and sheep in Kasane, Maun and Shakawe districts in northwestern Botswana.

A serological survey was conducted in apparently healthy, unvaccinated indigenous Tswana goats and sheep in Kasane, Maun and Shakawe districts in northwestern Botswana in order to determine in these animals, the levels of exposure to the South African Territories (SAT) serotypes: SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3 of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). A total of 250, 142 and 134 goat sera originating respectively from Kasane, Maun and Shakawe districts were tested for FMDV antibodies against the three SAT serotypes by the liquid phase blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 26 of 250 (10.4%), 5 of 142 (3.

The control of foot-and-mouth disease in Botswana: special reference to vaccination.

Botswana has a history of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) occurrence and control that dates far back into the 1930s. Conditions in the southern African region are favourable for spiking FMD outbreaks due to Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes, because of the co-existence of the agent, hosts and a conducive environment. In the past these parameters were less controlled and FMD outbreaks were common in the region, causing tremendous social and economic losses.

Molecular epidemiology of rabies in Botswana: a comparison between antibody typing and nucleotide sequence phylogeny.

A panel of rabies virus isolates (RABV) endemic within Botswana between 1988 and 1992 have been typed by anti-nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies (MAb) into two dominant groups. The first associated with the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and the second associated with a range of wildlife species. Using nucleoprotein coding sequence data, we have applied molecular phylogenetic techniques to the same panel of 35 well-characterised rabies virus isolates from throughout Botswana in an attempt to compare both techniques and to further investigate the virus/host species relationships within this African country.

Re-emergence of foot-and-mouth disease in Botswana.

The re-emergence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Botswana is reported. The disease outbreak occurred in the Matsiloje Extension Area of Francistown veterinary district situated in the northeastern part of the country in an Office International des épízooties (OIE) recognized FMD free zone without vaccination. The disease affected cattle only and did not spillover into sheep and goats resident in the same extension area, as demonstrated by lack of seroconversion to FMD when tested.

Goat-sheep hybrid born under natural conditions in Botswana.

In Botswana it is common practice to rear goats (Capara hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) together in one kraal. Under such conditions it is also not uncommon to see the two species mating, but such matings have never been reported to produce a viable offspring. In this field observation a viable offspring was born naturally from a mating between a female goat and a male sheep.