Our One Health training focuses on developing competence for the application of molecular biology and analytical epidemiology to understand and manage risk associated with infectious diseases through a tiered postgraduate programme.

We aim to develop  world-class research students and fellows, addressing capacity gaps and the convergent need in science and technology that make linking medical and veterinary research efficient and effective in the resource poor settings of sub Saharan  Africa

Virological and Serological Findings in Rousettus aegyptiacus Experimentally Inoculated with Vero Cells-Adapted Hogan Strain of Marburg Virus

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
The Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, is currently regarded as a potential reservoir host for Marburg virus (MARV). However, the modes of transmission, the level of viral replication, tissue tropism and viral shedding pattern remains to be described. Captive-bred R. aegyptiacus, including adult males, females and pups were exposed to MARV by different inoculation routes. Blood, tissues,…
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Tuberculosis cross-species transmission in Tanzania: towards a One-Health concept.

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
For centuries, tuberculosis, which is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis has remained a global health problem. The global burden of tuberculosis has increased, particularly in the Southern African region, mainly due to HIV, and inadequate health systems which has in turn given rise to emergent drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) strains. Bovine…
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Towards One Health disease surveillance: The Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance approach

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
Africa has the highest burden of infectious diseases in the world and yet the least capacity for its risk management. It has therefore become increasingly important to search for ‘fit-for- purpose’ approaches to infectious disease surveillance and thereby targeted disease control. The fact that the majority of human infectious diseases are originally of animal origin…
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Stability of a formalin-inactivated Rift Valley fever vaccine: evaluation of a vaccination campaign for cattle in Mozambique.

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
In Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) are characterized by abortions in gestating animals and high mortality rates among domestic ruminants. An immunization program using a formalin-inactivated vaccine was initiated in Mozambique in 2002 to control RVF in cattle. In this intervention, the vaccine must be transported for more than…
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Rift Valley fever: Real or perceived threat for Zambia?

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Zambia was first reported in 1974 during an epizootic of cattle and sheep that occurred in parts of Central, Southern and Copperbelt Provinces. In 1990, the disease was documented in nine districts of the provinces of Zambia. In the last two decades, there have been no reports of RVF. This…
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Isolation of Bacillus anthracis from soil in selected high-risk areas of Zimbabwe.

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
Soil samples were collected from carcass burial sites from seven areas, including two national game parks. Samples were collected from top 5-10 cm, and for spore extraction, 25 g of soil was suspended in sterile distilled water overnight. Supernatants were filtered through 0.45-μm pore cellulose nitrate, deposits suspended in 5 ml phosphate-buffered saline, aliquoted and…
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Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotypes detected in Tanzania from 2003 to 2010: conjectured status and future prospects.

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
This study was conducted to investigate the presence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in different geographic locations of Tanzania. Epithelial tissues and fluids (n = 364) were collected from cattle exhibiting oral and foot vesicular lesions suggestive of FMD and submitted for routine FMD diagnosis. The analysis of these samples collected during the period of…
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Identification of the plague reservoir in an endemic area of Zambia

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague, is primarily a parasite of wild rodents that persists in permanent, discrete enzootic foci throughout the world. The disease is transmitted in humans by bites from fleas of wildlife rodent species. Therefore surveillance is the ultimate public health solution through plague detection in domestic dogs, other carnivores and…
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Human-animal anthrax outbreak in the Luangwa valley of Zambia in 2011.

yunus.karsan@sacids.org
There has been a reduction of incidences of anthrax in the developed countries but it is still a public health problem in the developing countries where communities live in interface areas with wildlife. An outbreak of anthrax in Hippopotamus amphibious was observed in Zambia. Following the death of hippopotamuses, suspected human cases were reported. The…
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