Tanzania Veterinary Journal

Investigation of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Slaughtered Donkeys at Huacheng International Abattoir, Dodoma, Tanzania

Hezron Emmanuel Nonga — 2026-01-09

In developing countries including Tanzania, the use of draught animal power like donkeys is constrained by inadequate and limited knowledge about their health problems and welfare. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2016 to August 2017 on 400 slaughtered donkeys to establish prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth at Huacheng international abattoir, Dodoma. A total of 1200 gastrointestinal content samples were collected from rectum, caecum and small intestine and examined by using floatation, sedimentation, MacMaster counting techniques for helminths eggs recovery and adult helminths. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and analyzed by Epi-Info version 7.2.6.0. The prevalence of helminth infection was 88.4% and all infected donkeys had nematodes, 55% had trematodes and 0.5% were infected with cestodes. The common types of helminths infections were Strongyle, Paramphistomum, Nematodirus and Parascaris. Moniezia were the least detected. Up to 60.3% of the donkeys were infected with both nematodes and trematodes. Most donkeys had severe levels of Strongyle infection with mean faecal egg count of 1885 ± 1228 per gram. Different parts of GIT influenced helminth colonization and the difference in infection rates was statistically significant p<0.0001) with rectum (88.4%) having highest helminths burden compared to small intestine (43.3%) and caecum (42.9%). Donkeys’ husbandry practices need improvement along with routine veterinary services including routine deworming.

Molecular characterization and pathogenicity assessment of bacteria causing infectious diseases in cage-farmed fish in the Lake Victoria

Magoti Ernest Ndaro — 2026-01-09

Cage aquaculture in Lake Victoria Tanzania has expanded rapidly increasing from 460 in 2021 to over 1000 in 2025, yet disease outbreaks remain a major constraint to productivity and farmer livelihoods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate bacterial pathogens affecting Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cage farms across six districts in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB), Tanzania. A total of 90 moribund fish were collected from thirty cage fish farm purposively and from each fish liver and kidney were sampled. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Three pathogenic bacteria namely Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus agalactiae were isolated and identified. Pathogenicity trials demonstrated that P. aeruginosa exhibited the highest mortality rate (86.7%), followed by C. freundii (53.3%) and S. agalactiae (40%). Clinical and post-mortem findings from the trials showed symptoms consistent with haemorrhagic septicaemia, scale loss, fin rot, skin ulcer, Popeye, and eye loss. Phylogenetic analysis grouped sequences of each pathogen into a single cluster, regardless of their geographical origins, suggesting a common source and subsequent dispersal to various locations. The study calls for farmer training and harmonized efforts to strengthen disease control strategies, as farmers are likely dealing with the same bacterial strains.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with Brucella infections in cattle in Tanganyika district, Katavi Region, Tanzania

George Mtinda — 2026-01-09

Bovine brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease of cattle, which poses serious public health and economic impacts. It leads to reproductive failures such as abortion, retained placenta, and infertility. Humans contract the infection through occupational exposure or consumption of contaminated animal products. Brucellosis is endemic in Tanzania, however, its profile in terms of magnitude and distribution is limited. Tanganyika District is one of areas in Tanzania which lacks such information for control purposes. This study, therefore, was designed to determine the magnitude of brucella infection in cattle and assess the associated factors in Tanganyika District. A total 380 cattle sera were screened for brucella antibodies by Rose Bengal Plate Test and confirmed by Fluorescence Polarization Assay. A structured questionnaire was administered to 51 herd owners to assess the potential factors associated with brucella infection. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results showed that out of 380 cattle sera tested, 24 (6.3%, 95%CI=4.3-9.2) were positive for brucella antibodies. Bull sharing (OR=5.2, 95%CI=1.6-17.1) and open disposal of foetal membranes (OR=6.4, 95%CI=1.2-32.5) were associated with sero-positivity. The odds of brucellosis in cattle were higher in farms where farmers were engaged in managing reproduction cases (OR=20.8, 95%CI=7.3-59.5). These findings highlight the presence of bovine brucellosis in Tanganyika district and its occurrence is associated with management practices such as bull sharing, direct contact with and improper disposal of foetal membranes. This call for targeted control strategies including regular screening, public awareness campaigns, and improved animal health management.

Comparative analysis of farming practices and the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis in broiler chickens from small and large-scale farms within an 80 kilometre radius of Harare

Tawanda Ashley Chari — 2026-01-09

Non-typical Salmonella, particularly Salmonella enteritidis, is a major zoonotic pathogen. In Zimbabwe, small-scale poultry farms are a critical part of the food supply chain, yet their disease burden and husbandry practices are not well characterised, leading to public health risks. This study compared the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and farming practices between small-scale and large-scale broiler farms in the Harare metropolitan region. In a cross-sectional study, 1050 cloacal swabs were collected from 6-week-old broilers across 70 farms (35 small-scale, 35 large-scale) within an 80 km radius of the capital Harare. Samples were cultured and isolates confirmed serologically, with farming practices assessed using a checklist. Prevalence was calculated, and a generalized linear mixed model was used to determine association, accounting for farm-level clustering. The overall prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis was 10.4% (95% CI: 8.6 – 12.2%), with small-scale farms having a significantly higher prevalence (17.7%) than large-scale farms (2.3%). After adjusting for farm-level clustering, broilers from small-scale farms had 18 times higher odds of infection (OR = 18.95% CI: 5.6 – 90.1, p< 0.001). This disparity was strongly associated with markedly inferior biosecurity protocols, limited veterinary supervision, and higher-risk management practices on small-scale farms. Small-scale broiler production systems near Harare are significantly more vulnerable to Salmonella Enteritidis contamination due to insufficient biosecurity and management practices. This highlights an immediate necessity for focused interventions, such as farmer education and enhanced support for biosecurity measures, to reduce zoonotic risks and improve food safety.

A retrospective study of cattle diseases and control in in Selected Government Farms in Tanzania from 2021 to 2023

Violet Ndonde — 2026-01-09

Cattle diseases remain a major challenge to production and productivity, livelihoods, public health, and the safe utilization of cattle and their products. A three-year retrospective study (2021–2023) was conducted in nine selected government livestock farms to assess disease burden, trends and distribution. Farm records were reviewed to ascertain cattle herd size, breed, age, disease events, deaths, vaccination and acaricide application. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate trends and temporal patterns, while negative binomial regression identified significant risk factors for disease occurrence. The study analyzed a total of 18 562 cattle with 3,790 disease cases and 2,251 deaths reported. Crude morbidity and mortality rates were 20.4% and 12.1%, respectively. Black quarter recorded the highest morbidity (16.1%) and mortality (7.6%). Other notable health problems included starvation (4.9%), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (4.2%), diarrhoea (4.5%) and East Coast Fever (2.2%). The significant risk factors for the occurrence of diseases or conditions included dairy cattle (22.7%), young age (28%), cattle in the central zone (41.8%), and the dry seasons (64.1%). Vaccination and acaricide application were the only disease control methods documented. Vaccination against six diseases namely CBPP, Black quarter, Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, Brucellosis, and Anthrax were recorded, with the highest vaccination coverage in Kongwa and Ruvu farms. Use of acaricide and vaccination in cattle were associated with reduction in disease incidence. Acaricide use and vaccination both had incidence rate ratio of less than 1 (IRR= 0.998, p < 0.05). Diseases and conditions are endemic in Government farms persistently cause of mortality regardless of control measures in place. Therefore, good livestock management practices in farms when integrated with proper vaccination, strategic acaricide use, and adoption of climate-resilient livestock management are the solutions to these health challenges.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematodes and Eimeria species in Sheep in Northern Cyprus

Joshua Olaifa — 2026-01-09

This study was carried out to examine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and Eimeria occysts in sheep farms of Northern Cyprus. A total of 356 sheep faecal samples were randomly collected across sheep farms in suburban regions of Northern Cyprus. The feces were tested for parasites using centrifugal flotation method. Eggs of Moniezia, Cooperia, Oesophagosuturom, Trichurus Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Trichostrongylus, Toxocara, Taeniidae, Spirocerca, gastrointestinal nematode (GNI) genera and Eimeria oocysts were recovered from the samples. At least one parasite was present in 321 of the samples, amounting to 90.2% gastrointestinal parasite prevalence. The most encountered parasite in the study was Haemonchus with 45.5% prevalence followed by Monieza with 30.5% whereas Taeniidae was the least encountered (4.2%). As for the age of animals, 92.3 % of sheep under the age of one year were infected with parasites while 48.8% of animals above two years were infected. There was no significant relationship (P value=0.33) between the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and the sex of animals. Out of 356 studied sheep 110 (30.9%) were cross-infected with two parasite genera, and 15 (12.64%) were cross-infected with three parasite genera. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the presence of Cooperia. GINs and Eimeria were extensively distributed and cross-infected in the sheep flocks leading to a higher risk of illness and mortality. This is the first report of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites across sheep farms in Northern Cyprus

Analgesic and Antioxidant Effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Ethanolic Extract in Post-Castration Pain Management in Rabbits

Lateefat Opeyemi Oladimeji — 2026-01-09

Effective post-surgery pain management is vital for animal welfare. Chenopodium ambrosioides, known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, was evaluated for its potential antioxidant and post-castration pain ameliorative effects in rabbit. Twenty-five mature bucks were surgically castrated and randomly assigned to five groups: Group A (oral 0.9% normal saline control), Group B (oral meloxicam, 0.1 mg/kg), Group C (oral C. ambrosioides extract, 500 mg/kg), and Group D (topical Ketoprofen 2.5% gel), and Group E (topical C. ambrosioides extract). Blood glucose level was measured immediately after the surgery and 15-, 30-, and 60-minutes post treatment while plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured in blood samples collected at 1-, 2-, and 3-hours post treatment in order to evaluate the plasma oxidant and antioxidant level Pain was evaluated using the Grimace scale based on still images extracted from 20-minute video recordings taken one hour after treatment. One-hour post-treatment, glucose levels were significantly higher in the control group (267.67 ± 18.77 mg/dL). At two hours, MDA levels were also significantly elevated in the control group (44696 ± 19071 nMol/mg), indicating greater oxidative stress. Grimace scores for oral meloxicam (0.51), oral C. ambrosioides (0.71), and topical C. ambrosioides (0.55) did not significantly differ from pre-surgical levels, while topical Fastum gel (Ketoprofen) (0.8) and oral C. ambrosioides (0.71) did not differ from the control group (0.92). C. ambrosioides showed antioxidative and analgesic properties, especially in its topical form, which yielded a faster pain-relief response and thereby have high potential in post-surgical pain management.

Effect of In-Ovo and Post-Hatch Photo Stimulation on Growth Performance and Survivability of Broiler Chickens

Mziray Ahmed Juraji — 2026-01-09

This study evaluated the effects of in-ovo and post-hatch photo stimulation on the growth performance and survivability of broiler chickens. A total of 800 fertile eggs were incubated under three light treatments: green light (GL, 560 nm), blue light (BL, 480 nm), and dark conditions (DL, control). Eggs were exposed to monochromatic light generated by LED lamps in 15-minute intervals, with standard incubation conditions of 37.8°C and 60% relative humidity. Upon hatching, chicks were assigned to three treatment groups: continuous photo stimulation, early post-hatch photo stimulation, and in ovo photo stimulation effect after hatching, using Green Light (GL), Blue Light (BL), and White light (WL) control to evaluate the effects of light exposure on post-hatch growth and survivability over six weeks rearing period. Results demonstrated significant improvements in hatching performance and growth parameters under GL and BL treatments. GL-treated eggs produced the heaviest hatchlings (37.49 ± 0.19 g), and BL-treated birds achieved the highest final body weights under continuous photo stimulation (2278.40 ± 36.64 g) and in ovo photo stimulation (2409.35 ± 38.32 g). Compared to the dark control, feed conversion ratios (FCR) were low under BL (1.50 ± 0.02), followed by GL (1.63 ± 0.002). Survivability was consistently higher in GL and BL treatments, with BL showing the lowest mortality rates. These findings indicate that photo stimulation, particularly with blue and green light, significantly enhances broiler growth performance, feed efficiency, and survivability, offering a sustainable approach to improving poultry production in tropical environments